§ MR. TAPLING (Leicestershire, Harborough)I beg to ask the Secretary of 474 State for War whether his attention has been called to a paragraph in the Times of 31st January last, relating to alleged insubordination in the Leicestershire Regiment at Bermuda; whether it is true that since 22nd January the regiment has been in almost open revolt; whether it is the case that the intervention of the Grenadier Guards has been found necessary to prevent serious breach of the peace by soldiers of the Leicestershire Regiment; and whether there is any foundation for these and similar statements contained in the same paper?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEBeyond the fact that at Christmas there was a slight drunken disturbance between a few men of the Leicestershire Regiment and some of the coloured population, which was immediately stopped by the officers on the spot, there was no foundation whatever for the reports telegraphed from Halifax. The General Officer commanding reports that, with this small exception, the conduct of the Leicestershire Battalion has been excellent; and I much regret that such unfounded and unfair statements should have been sent home.