MR. O'BRIENasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to a report in the "Glasgow Evening Citizen," of August 11th, which states that a procession of Orangemen of the Grand Black Chapter, which marched through that city, was accompanied by a Renfrewshire Volunteer Band; and, if the report be true, whether he approves of a force aided from the Imperial Exchequer participating prominently in partizan demonstrations offensive to a large section of the population?
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTER (for the Marquess of HARTINGTON)In reply to the second Question of the hon. Member for Mallow, I have to say that such a proceeding on the part of a Volunteer band would be entirely contrary to the Volunteer Regulations, which state in paragraph 479—
That no body of Volunteers will in any ease take part in a public procession or ceremony without the special authority of the General Officer commanding the district.My noble Friend at once directed a tele- 1337 gram to be sent to the General Officer commanding the troops in North Britain, who addressed an inquiry to the commanding officers of the corps in question; and they, with one consent, assured him, in reply, that not one of their bands attended the Orange procession in question.