§ MR. ERRINGTONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention had been called to the mismanagement which entailed much suffering and privation on the Longford Rifles during the late Mobilization; to the fact, for instance, that they had to march for eight miles to be reviewed by the Commander in Chief without having any water before starting; that on the review ground the supply of water was so small that many of the men got none all day, and both officers and men suffered severely in consequence on their return to camp; and, if he will cause inquiry to be made as to who was responsible for this mismanagement?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYI am sorry, Sir, that hon. Members from Ireland have had their attention called to the misfortunes of the Militia from that country. I have had no complaints in reference to English or Scotch regiments. In consequence of the hon. Member's Question I have made inquiry into the matter, and I find that there does not appear to have been any mismanagement connected with the Longford Rifles during the late mobilization, and no reports have been received of suffering and privation said to have been endured by the regiment. In common with others in the same brigade, they marched four miles to the ground and four miles back to be inspected by his Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief. The Brigade General has already reported that the brigade halted for three-quarters of an hour at Yarn-borough, had water, and the water-carts were re-filled and accompanied the regiment to the review. No doubt, some inconvenience was experienced owing to the intense heat of the weather, but so far as I know from the Reports there was no such mismanagement as stated by the hon. Gentleman.