HC Deb 01 March 1872 vol 209 c1217
SIR PATRICK O'BRIEN

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, having regard to the principle of localization embodied in his scheme of Army reorganization, it is his intention to constitute a regiment of Irish Guards, England and Scotland being already represented by seven battalions of Foot Guards?

MR. CARDWELL

, in reply, said, he must demur to the assumption that the seven battalions of Guards represented England and Scotland to the exclusion of Ireland. The battalions of Foot Guards were as open to Irishmen as to men from any other part of the country, and there was no intention at present to add to the number of the regiments of the Guards.