§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he has received any communication from Major Knox, commanding the troops temporarily stationed at Bolton, expressing the opinion that the further retention of the military in that town is unnecessary; whether complaints have reached him that the continued presence of this extra military force is obnoxious to the ratepayers, and is producing irritation 1167 amongst the population; and, whether, under these circumstances, the Government will consider the advisability of the withdrawal of the troops?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; such a communication was forwarded to me from the War Office on the 20th ultimo. I have no information to the effect that the continued presence of the military is obnoxious to the ratepayers. On the 20th ultimo the Justices of the borough forwarded, me a Resolution, in which they declined to take the responsibility of dispensing with the assistance of the military. The Mayor also strongly urged upon me that the detachment should be allowed to remain. Under these circumstances, cannot advise their withdrawal.