§ MR. FRASER MACKINTOSHasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been directed to the fact that at present, and for some months past, one hundred and fifty Presbyterian soldiers of the Royal Scots, now at Barbadoes, have no religious services performed for them by any duly qualified person; whether these men were satisfied with a non-liturgical morning service by the Wesleyan chaplain; whether General Brown, commanding, not only disallowed the bill of this chaplain for the special allowances granted for extra services, but, in a formal minute (No. 9), inter alia, thus expressed himself—
I consider that commanding officers are the best judges of the requirements of their men in spiritual as well as temporal affairs;and, thereafter, on 22nd December 1883, issued the following order—Presbyterians will parade at 11 a.m. in the Brick Barracks, the service, to be conducted by the senior officer or non-commissioned officer present,which order still stands; and, whether be will at once order that, failing regular supplies otherwise, instructions be given that the early morning services by the Wesleyan chaplain be resumed and the usual remuneration allowed?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONNo Report has been received from the station of the circumstances of the case; but, so far as the remuneration is concerned, the General Officer commanding appears to have acted in accordance with Regulations. Under these circumstances, I cannot give the order which the hon. Member asks for; but I will look into the Regulations, and consider if they require amendment.