MR. SAVILE FOLJAMBEasked the Secretary of State for War, If he will state to the House at whose request troops were sent from Manchester to Whitwell, in Derbyshire, on the occasion of the recent Election for East Bet-ford; whether it is usual to send troops into the neighbourhood of a polling-place on the day of Election without a requisition from the magistrates, or a declaration from the chief constable that the civil force at his disposal is insufficient to preserve order, and that he cannot be responsible for the peace; and, whether, under these circumstances, it is intended to charge the district or the county with the expense of moving the troops and maintaining them at Whitwell for several days?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to my hon. Friend, I have to say that if he will move for the Papers they shall be presented. They will show more clearly than can be shown in a verbal reply under what circumstances troops were sent from Manchester to Whitwell on the occasion in question. As to the second Question, I may say that it is not usual to send troops to the neighbourhood of polling-places without a requisition from the magistrates or other local 228 civil authority. As to the third Question, it is not intended to make any charge against the district or county.