§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he is aware that a number of soldiers of the Royal Irish Regiment, now quartered at Gosport, took part at a Unionist meeting at Portsmouth on 29th April, and conducted themselves in a disorderly manner, their proceedings being thus described in the local Press—
Great uproar, which was increased by the throwing of something by a private of the Royal Irish Rifles, who was seated in the front row of the gallery. A body of soldiers belonging to the Royal Irish Rifles, some seamen, and a body of civilians made for the platform, and, cheering defiantly, formed a bodyguard round Private Hanna;and, whether he will give orders for more strictly enforcing the Regulation forbidding soldiers in uniform from taking part at political meetings?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I have made inquiry into this matter, and find that the report in the local Press gives a very inaccurate account of what occurred. There were some eight or nine men of the Royal Irish Rifles at the meeting in question; but they were quite orderly, and did not begin any disturbance. But an attack was made on the platform by a mob of roughs in order to break up the meeting, and the soldiers, on a call been made from the platform for assistance, joined in restoring order. The General Officer commanding has already taken steps to call attention to the instruction in the Queen's Regulations as to soldiers attending political meetings in uniform.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co.. Mid)asked, whether the soldiers in question were paid, as were the roughs the other night at St. James's Hall, for tearing the coats off the backs of those who expressed disapprobation?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!