§ MR. T. M. HEALYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if Major Ross, of Bladensburg, is on active service; what regiment does he serve in; and what business was he conducting in Rome with Sir Lintorn Simmons?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEMajor Ross, of Bladensburg, is serving on full pay in the Coldstream Guards. He received leave to go abroad in November, 1889, and, while on leave, served as secretary to Sir Lintorn Simmons's Special Mission to the Vatican.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYUnder what circumstances did Major Ross get leave, and for how long was the leave? How did it happen that while on leave he managed to get promoted from Captain to Major? Was it for his services at the Vatican?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIt happened that during the time he was on leave his, turn came for promotion.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYHow long was the leave granted for, and is this the second or the third time that this gentleman, an officer of the Coldstream Guards, has obtained leave and been employed in other matters?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEIf the hon. and learned Gentleman wants to have information of that detailed character, he had better put a question upon the Paper. This is the second occasion, I believe, on which Major Ross has been publicly employed.
In answer to a question by Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.),
§ MR. E. STANHOPE saidIt does not appear to me remarkable that Sir Lintorn Simmons, who is himself a General in the Army, should select as his private secretary a military officer.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYIs there any idea under heaven why Major Ross was selected?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEBecause Sir Lintorn Simmons desired to have his services.