MR. PRICEasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that a Circular, bearing the address "Horse Guards, Pall Mall," has been forwarded to every regiment of the regular Army and Militia, inviting subscriptions from the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of each regiment for the purpose of erecting a memorial to the late Prince Louis Napoleon; and, whether there is any precedent for issuing such a Circular, purporting to have emanated from a meeting of officers of the British Army, "held under the auspices of the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief," bearing the address "Horse Guards, Pall Mall," and which Circular invites subscriptions for a purpose about which 1176 it is not impossible there may be differences of opinion?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, it is the case that a circular was issued inviting subscriptions; but it was distinctly understood that such subscriptions were to be of a private character. I regret to say that the circular was drawn up inadvertently by an officer, who overlooked the fact that it was dated from the Horse Guards. I believe, however, it is well understood throughout the Service that the subscriptions are entirely private and entirely voluntary. If I find that any misapprehension exists on this point, I shall cause another circular to be issued which will remove it. In regard to precedent, I have already stated that the matter arose through an oversight; and I do not think, therefore, that any former precedent will apply.
§ MR. E. JENKINSasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the Crown or the Government has, by custom or law, any power or control over the granting of sites for monuments in Westminster Abbey; and, whether, in view of the relations of the late Prince Imperial to the Government of Prance, with which Her Majesty is in friendly alliance, they will take steps to prevent the granting of a site for the erection of a monument to the Prince Imperial in Westminster Abbey?
§ MR. CALLANasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether there is any precedent for Government interfering in, or any authority vested in them, to exercise any power or control over the granting of sites for monuments in Westminster Abbey; and, whether, in view of the circumstances surrounding the melancholy fate of the late Prince Imperial, Her Majesty's Government will not deem it undesirable to aid in any way in interposing obstacles in the way of the erection of a monument in Westminster Abbey to one who met his death while gallantly serving as a volunteer with the British Forces operating in South Africa?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the right and responsibility of granting sites for monuments in Westminster Abbey rest entirely with the Dean of Westminster. The Government have seen the announcement of what is intended in the case referred to; but they have not thought fit to give 1177 any advice on the matter, thinking that no political significance attaches to the matter.