§ MR. BAIRD (Glasgow, Central)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is the case that on the 5th November last, the anniversary of the battle of Inkermann, a number of old Guardsmen who had served in the Crimea were invited to attend guard-mounting parade at Wellington Barracks, but on arriving there found the gates closed and admittance refused to them; and, if so, whether he can give any explanation of the occurrence?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The old Guardsmen were not invited by any recognised authority, and as an intimation was given to the Major General Commanding the Home District that the occasion was to be made use of for a public demonstration in favour of an increase to their pensions, and as he very properly regarded such a demonstration in the barracks as contrary to discipline, he ordered the gates to be closed.