§ MR. COX (Clare, E.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a fact, as reported in The Freeman's Journal of the 12th instant, that some soldiers of the Derbyshire regiment paraded the streets of Ennis the previous day displaying Orange emblems in their caps; and, whether it is in accordance with Military Regulations that soldiers should display Party emblems; and, if not, whether he will issue instructions that the Regulations shall in future be complied with by the soldiers belonging to this regiment.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (MR. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The officer commanding the detachment of the Derbyshire regiment at Clare Castle reports as follows:—"The report about Sherwood Foresters wearing emblems on Wednesday is entirely false." With regard to the general question of wearing Party emblems, no soldier is permitted to make any addition to his authorized uniform.
§ MR. COXConsidering the frequent conflicts between this regiment and the people, will the right hon. Gentleman take into his consideration the desirability of removing the Derbyshire regiment from Clare Castle?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI am afraid the circumstances connected with this very question show the necessity of retaining the military in this district.
§ MR. COXsaid, he did not ask the right hon. Gentleman to remove the military altogether. He merely asked him to remove the regiment. He supposed he would get the same answer as before if he asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he would grant an independent inquiry into this matter; because hundreds of respectable people could prove the accuracy of the statement contained in the Question.
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIn this case there is nothing to inquire into. The statement is altogether false.