HC Deb 21 July 1870 vol 203 cc643-4
LORD CLAUD JOHN HAMILTON

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether, having regard to the present condition of affairs on the Continent, he does not think it expedient to reconsider his recent order for the reduction of one-half of the Sergeants on the Staff of Irish Militia Regiments?

MR. CARDWELL

No sergeants on the Staff of the Irish Militia regiments have been reduced. What has been done is this—a rule has been laid down that, until there shall be a prospect of calling out the Irish Militia, on vacancies occurring in the permanent Staff for one sergeant in each company, those vacancies shall not be filled up. The answer therefore, is that as soon as there shall be a prospect of calling out the Irish Militia, the vacancies in question will be filled up.