HC Deb 01 March 1886 vol 302 c1543
CAPTAIN FELLOWES

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in consequence of the permission accorded to Socialist and other societies to hold meetings in the public parks on Sundays, it is intended on such occasions to confine the Troops to barracks; and, if so, whether notice to that effect will be given to Commanding Officers of regiments in London, in order that they may be able to grant the usual weekly half-holiday on some other day of the week to men who are not on duty?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CHILDERS)

In reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to say that the course to be taken in each particular case must necessarily depend on the circumstances of the case. If those circumstances should require that troops should be held in readiness, the earliest possible notice would be given to the commanding officers. I hope that in the future, as in the past, this necessity may seldom arise.