THE O'DONOGHUEasked the Secretary of State for War, If it be true that the request of Sir Frederick Roberts and Sir James Hill to attend on the staff, on the occasion of the Volunteer Review at Windsor, previous to returning to India, has been refused; and, if so, on what grounds?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, before I answer this Question, I think I ought to gather whether it is the wish of the House to make the selection of officers for the Staff at Reviews the subject of Parliamentary criticism. I cannot find that in either House of Parliament such interference with the discretion of the military authorities has ever taken place, and I must appeal to the House to support me if I decline to answer a Ques- 361 tion which would form a precedent for inquiries, in my opinion, quite beyond the province of Parliament.
THE O'DONOGHUEgave Notice that, in consequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman, he would renew the Question on going into Committee of Supply.
§ MR. SCHREIBERasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he will apply to His Royal Highness the Ranger of Windsor Park to admit Members of both Houses of Parliament wishing to attend the Volunteer Review on Saturday to the reserved spaces in Windsor Park on either hand of the position to be occupied by Her Majesty, and so grant them the same privileges as have already been conceded to others of Her Majesty's subjects? The hon. Member said he heard yesterday, for the first time, that Windsor Park was under the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and that, consequently, no Member of the Government had communicated with the Ranger on the subject of his (Mr. Schreiber's) Questions relating to the Volunteer Review. Therefore, the animated conversation in the House yesterday would be the first intimation received by the Ranger of the wishes of the House, with which he felt sure His Royal Highness would be anxious to comply. He hoped now to hear from the Prime Minister that they would be able to-morrow, as Members of the Legislature, whether enclosed between hurdles or not, to testify their admiration of the fine spirit which would bring 50,000 men to Windsor.
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked me to state what has been done in this matter. After the conversation in the House last night, I saw Mr. Gore, one of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and we telegraphed to the Ranger of Windsor Park our opinion that, under the circumstances, provision should be made for reserving places at the Review for Members of the Houses of Parliament. Space for 500 is roped off, accordingly, in front of the Royal carriages and to the left of the saluting point, and 300 tickets will be sent to Mr. Speaker for Members of this House by 5 o'clock this afternoon. As to Members' carriages, the Ranger will make the best arrangements he can behind the Royal carriages.