HC Deb 09 March 1885 vol 295 cc431-2
MR. CARINGTON

asked the Secretary of State for War, If the detachment of the 24th Middlesex Volunteers, who were under orders for active service in Egypt, were paraded at the Tower of London on the 3rd instant for the purpose of being inspected by Mr. Turnor, of the Post Office, why an inspection was not held by a Military officer of suitable rank; and, whether this ceremony took place with the concurrence of the Military authorities; and, if that be the case, whether it is intended that Mr. Turner should inspect any other detachments or corps who are or may be under orders to proceed to Egypt?

MR. SHAW LEFEVRE

The detachment to which my hon. Friend alludes consisted of 20 men connected with the Post Office Department as letter sorters, who are being sent out to Suakin to undertake the Postal Service. They are attached to the Post Office Volunteers as members of the Army Reserve, the object being that they should be under military discipline when serving with an Army in the field. They were paraded at the Tower of London on the 3rd instant, in order that, as head of the Department, I might bid them farewell. I was, unfortunately, unable to be present, on account of a severe cold; and I asked Mr. Turnor, the Financial Secretary of the Post Office, to say a few words on my behalf to them. The military inspection of the corps by their own commanding officer had taken place some days previously, and the parade the hon. Member refers to was only for the purpose I mention. I have, in a similar manner, bid farewell to-day to another detachment of telegraph men who are going out to join the Engineers at Suakin in a similar position, and I shall continue to do so whenever detachments are sent out from the Department of which I have control.