§ MR. BIGGARsaid, he wished to call the attention of the Secretary of State for War to the irregularities committed by some of the officers and men in the Antrim Artillery Militia. He hoped that the right hon. Gentleman would institute a searching inquiry into the charges against them; otherwise it might be necessary early next Session to move for a Select Committee to investigate them.
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, he had no right to speak again; but by permission of the House he would do so. Perhaps the hon. Member for Cavan would allow him to ask a question. He spoke of charges. What charges were they, and who made them? The matter had not 862 recently been raised in a formal manner. Part of the charges to which the hon. Member referred originated in 1879, and had been disposed of in an answer given to the hon. Member on a Motion which he raised. Now, he spoke of something that occurred this year; but some conversation was going on in the House, and the hon. Member's words were difficult to follow. But if he referred to charges, he this year must ask who had made those charges, and where were they made?
§ MR. BIGGARexplained that the charges he referred to arose out of the 1879 business, and the general want of discipline in the regiment at the time; and, though one of the persons implicated had resigned, there were others who since had obtained promotion instead of censure.
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, that being the case, he had to say that the matter was fully looked into; and last year the regiment was reported as in a thoroughly efficient state. He must decline to accept a proposal for any further inquiry next year when the hon. Member made his Motion, unless some new facts came to his knowledge.
MR. BIGGAEsaid, he did not ask the right hon. Gentleman to give a promise for an inquiry, but only that he would himself make inquiries.