§ MR. CARBUTTasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, on the occasion of the recent riots at Tredegar, there was considerable delay in procuring Military assistance, in consequence of the authorities having to send for it to Cardiff, Milford, and Pembroke, and, whether this delay might have been prevented if there had been a sufficient force at Newport, which is in the same county as Tredegar; and, whether he can state whether, viewing the fact that Newport is in direct railway communication with all the populous centres of the district, he will consider the desirability of making Newport the headquarters of a regiment? The hon. Member said he also desired to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the troops were ordered from Cardiff to Tredegar, where the order was countermanded, and whether they went back to Cardiff, and were sent a second time to Tredegar?
§ MR. CHILDERSI am satisfied, after full examination into the facts of this case, that no blame can attach to the action of Major- General Pakenham in connection with the despatch of troops to Tredegar on the occasion of the recent riots, and that the changes in the orders were chiefly due to the fact that the 9th was a Sunday, when some of the telegraph offices were shut, and there was great difficulty in obtaining railway transport. I am sorry to say that I cannot consider the accident of a riot having taken place at Tredegar a reason for stationing more troops at Newport; but, in point of fact, when the Force in England returns to its normal number, the propriety of increasing the strength at Newport, among other places about which I receive representations from hon. Members, will be considered.
§ MR. CARBUTTHave troops been called to go to Blaine, or any other place in Monmouthshire?
§ MR. CHILDERSNO, Sir. I have received no application for further troops for Monmouthshire.
§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYI beg to give Notice that I will ask the Postmaster General, If he will consider the necessity of giving greater facilities for the despatch of telegrams on Sunday in view of the very serious inconvenience which may result, as shown in this case, for the closing entirely of the offices on Sundays?
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORWho sent the telegram countermanding the despatch of the troops whilst on their way, and by acting upon which they were sent back to Cardiff?
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, he had spent a long time in looking into this matter, and was quite satisfied that no blame was attached to Major General Pakenham.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORWas there a telegram sent countermanding the despatch of troops?
§ MR. CHILDERSYes.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORWho sent it?
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, he had the names of the whole of the officers concerned in this matter; but he could not from memory say who it was who sent the telegram. As he had said, he had taken great pains to look into what was done, and he believed that what was done was done for the best.