§ SIR T. ESMONDE (Dublin Co., S.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Sergeant Major of the Carlow Militia is correctly reported, when ordering the men to remove their shamrocks from their caps on St. Patrick's Day, to have told them "to throw away those tufts of grass;" and, if so, whether he will be reprimanded for making use of this observation?
§ * MR. BRODRICKAs the hon. Baronet is aware from recent discussions, no soldier is allowed to wear any decoration on parade, except with the permission of his commanding officer. My right hon. Friend (Mr. Stanhope) has, I think, satisfied the House that he has no desire to run counter to the national sentiment in this matter, but as the order, under the circumstances, was perfectly proper, he has not felt it necessary to inquire as to the exact terms in which it was given.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Will the hon. Gentleman say how this statement can be reconciled with the fact that men of the Welsh Fusiliers are allowed to wear the leek on parade on St. David's Day?
* MR. BRODEICKI think my answer covers that point. With the permission of the commanding officer this or any other emblem maybe worn. It is not alleged that in the present instance such permission was sought, and 15 the officer or non-commissioned officer would order the removal of the emblem badge, or whatever it was, without regard to what it was.
MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is a custom with the Northumberland Fusiliers, when parading on St. George's Day (23rd April), for all officers and men by order to wear two roses, red and white, in their busbies; and whether English, Irish, Scotch, and Welsh soldiers in that regiment are obliged, under pain of punishment for disobedience, to conform to this custom; if so, whether he will cause an order to be made that the wearing of shamrock on St. Patrick's Day shall be discretionary in the Army?
§ * MR. BRODRICKThe Commander-in-Chief is not cognisant of the custom referred to in the question. There is no necessity to issue an order as to the wearing of the shamrock on St. Patrick's Day, as such matters are within the discretion of commanding officers.
MR. P. O'BRIENSeeing how unfairly the discretion is used, is it not desirable that some instructions should be issued? May I also ask, Could not the information be obtained?
§ * MR. BRODRICKI think the hon. Member is incorrect in saying that the discretion has been unfairly used. It is not alleged that any application has been made to a commanding officer for leave to wear the shamrock and refused. As regards the custom mentioned in the question, it is not within the knowledge of the War Office, and as it does not come within the regulations for discipline it has not been thought necessary to make inquiry.
MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to a report from the Press Association that a stoker at the Seamen's Barracks, Devonport, was ordered 14 days' imprisonment for wearing the shamrock on St. Patrick's Day last; whether he can give the name of the man imprisoned, and of the officer who gave the sentence, and the general circumstances of this case; and, if the Press report is true, whether he will order the release of 16 this man pending an investigation of the facts of the case, and until the House is afforded an opportunity of considering the matter?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONI am informed that Frederick Dwyer, stoker, while on parade at Divisions, was ordered by the lieutenant on duty to take some green decoration out of his cap, and that he refused to obey the order. This was reported to Commander Neville, who thereupon punished the man with 14 days, number 10a, for wilful disobedience in refusing to obey orders. Commander Neville subsequently reduced this sentence to seven days, number 10a. This is one of the ordinary summary punishments authorised by the Regulations in such cases. Grog is stopped, smoking is forbidden, and the offender is practically confined to barracks, but he is not imprisoned. Considering that disobedience to orders is a grave offence against discipline, I do not think the punishment inflicted was severe, nor do I propose to interfere in the matter.
MR. P. O'BRIENI beg to give notice that on the first opportunity I will press this matter upon the attention of the House.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)I would ask the noble Lord if there is any other instance on record of anyone in the National Service having been punished for wearing a national decoration?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONI cannot answer that question, but I may say that no decorations of any kind are permitted to be worn by men in Her Majesty's uniform.
§ MR. SEXTONI would ask the noble Lord whether there is any objection to the Admiralty issuing a General Order or indication that the Admiralty does not desire that Irishmen in the Service should be required to remove green decorations on St. Patrick's Day.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONWhatever Regulation applies to Irishmen must apply to all other nationalities.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Tipperary, S.)I would ask the noble Lord whether as an Irishman he has ever worn the shamrock himself on St. Patrick's Day?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
MR. P. O'BRIENI would like to ask the noble Lord whether, seeing the near approach of Primrose Day, he will give orders that primroses are not to be worn by soldiers or sailors on that day?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!