§ MR. A. THOMAS (Glamorgan, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a paragraph in the Western Mail, of the 19th instant, in which it is reported that great dissatisfaction exists among the Rifle Volunteers of Cardiff, in consequence of the amalgamation of the two detachments; whether, in consequence, only very few members attend parade; whether it was a well known fact that the amalgamation was very distasteful and would be resented; whether previous to the amalgamation both detachments were numerically strong and efficient; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made, in order to make arrangements that will be satisfactory to members of both detachments?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, HorncastleThe amalgamation referred to was a regimental arrangement, which would have been carried out much earlier if it had not been for debts on the part of one of the detachments. It is reputed that since the amalgamation the attendance has improved, and that the strength is greater than before it took effect.