HC Deb 28 February 1887 vol 311 cc708-9
MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the fact, as stated in The Western Daily Mercury of the 24th instant, that at the Raglan Barracks— an officer addressed his company in compliance with his orders, and told them frankly that he did not intend himself to give to the Imperial Institute scheme, and that they need not subscribe, if they were indisposed to do so," and that "there was not a single favourable response; whether the officers of the Army generally have received orders to canvass their men; whether such orders directed them to inform their men that they need not subscribe if they were indisposed to do so; and, in how many cases, where such liberty of choice has been afforded, a favourable response has been returned?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

The officers of the Army have not received orders to canvass their men for subscriptions to the Imperial Institute. As to the other Questions of the hon. Member, I have no information.

MR. CONYBEARE

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he could obtain such information?

MR. E. STANHOPE

said, it was not his business to ask whether officers or the Army subscribed to that or any other object.