§ MR. PELLasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that the Officer commanding the Leicestershire Militia gave due notice prior to the training that his regiment would be ready to take part in a field day, and that the time and place were arranged by the General Officer commanding the district, naming May 22nd as the time, and Northampton as the place for such brigade field day; whether the estimate of the cost (under £100), was forwarded to the Horse Guards on May 17th, and the blank ammunition sent down to Northampton, and for what reason he stopped further proceedings by telegram, received at Leicester on the evening of Sunday May 21st; and, whether he is aware that the Officers of the Leicestershire Militia, have been thus put to much fruitless expense and inconvenience, and seriously discouraged attempting to carry out the instructions embodied in the Reserve Forces Circular issued by the War Office?
§ MR. CARDWELLI have made inquiry, Sir, and am informed that the telegram from Manchester was received at the War Office on Saturday, the 20th, after office hours, and that on Monday morning, the 22nd, telegrams were sent to the general officer commanding the Northern District, and to the officers commanding the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Militia, to the effect that 140 the application had been received too late.