§ MR. HAYTERasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is aware that the Band of Her Majesty's 50th Regiment of Infantry headed the Conservative procession into the town of Chelmsford on the occasion of a Conservative gathering in that town during the Whitsuntide Recess; and, if he will state to the House, whether such departure from the Regulations, forbidding the Military taking part in political demonstrations, was sanctioned by him, or by any subordinate officer in Her Majesty's Service; and, if he has sanctioned the attendance of Military Bands on such occasions, whether he will state to the House what Bands, if any, of Her Majesty's Regiments quartered at home are available for similar demonstrations on the part of the Liberal party?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYI very much regret, Sir, to find that the Band of the 50th Regiment was employed on the occasion referred to by the hon. and gallant Member, and I will tell the House how it came about. In March of this year the commanding officer of the regiment was applied to for the use of the band on the occasion of a festival at Chelmsford. He at once gave his permission, and had not the slightest idea that there was anything political connected with the proceeding. When the band went to Chelmsford it found itself at the head of a great procession of carriages, and began to march without playing any tunes. The bandmaster was called upon for some music, and the band then played one or two marches, thus taking part in the procession. I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman 1061 cannot suppose that any application was made to the Secretary for "War on the matter, and therefore he cannot suppose that there was any sanction of the proceeding by me. With regard to the last sentence of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, I can only say that, as far as I am concerned, the Liberal Party and the hon. and gallant Gentleman—who in the course of his political progresses has shown considerable skill in that direction—must find and blow his own trumpet.