DR. CAMERONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to a statement in The Birmingham Daily Post, attributed to the Mayor of Lichfield, in connection with the Yeomanry disturbances at Lichfield, to the effect that what had occurred "was only what had taken place in former years;" and, whether he will direct that the inquiry which he has ordered shall extend to the general conduct of the Corps while in training for some years past?
§ COLONEL LEVETTalso asked, whether it was not the fact that during the last five years the confidential Reports of the officers respecting the Staffordshire Yeomanry had been, both as to discipline and general conduct, highly satisfactory and creditable to the regiment?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONIn reply to the Questions of the hon. and gallant Member for Lichfield (Colonel Levett), I have to state that the regiment did not train in 1879. The Reports for the last four years have been very satisfactory. In reply to the Question of the hon. Member for Glasgow (Dr. Cameron), I have to state that my attention has been called by the hon. Member to the statement in question; but I do not see that any advantage would arise from the extension of the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he was not aware of the circumstances under which the inquiry would be conducted; but he had seen a statement in the newspapers to the effect that it would be private.