§ MAJOR O'GORMANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is his intention to re-consider his resolution of sending six officers of the Guards and only three of the Line to act as officers of the 24th Regiment on the embarcation of a draft of that Corps for service at South Africa; and, whether the disproportion between the numbers of the officers of the Line and those of the Guards is not such as to entitle the former to a majority in selection for the above duty? In reference to reports that I have served in the 24th Regiment, I beg leave to say, Sir, first, that I did not serve in the 24th Regiment; second, that I have no relatives in the 24th Regiment; third, that I am not acquainted with any officer of the 24th Regiment, and that I never met the 24th Regiment in quarters or elsewhere.
§ COLONEL STANLEYIt is unnecessary for the hon. and gallant Gentleman to disclaim being actuated by private motives in putting this Question, the matter to which it relates being of considerable public interest. As regards the Question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to state that there is no intention to re-consider the arrangements made for sending out six officers of the Guards with this large draft of the 24th Regiment. I am not prepared to admit that the question of sending these officers for such duty is altogether a matter of proportion. But if it were so, the fact that there is a large number of officers of the Line serving on special duty with the Forces in South Africa would confirm me in a desire to I make no change in the arrangements already made.