§ MR. HARDY (Kent, Ashford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in The London Gazette of 21st February it was stated that Colonel Champney, of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, West Riding Regiment, resigns his commission, whereas Colonel Champney gave no authority for the statement; whether he is aware that Colonel Champney on 13th February had specially asked for consideration on account of the heavy financial responsibilities which rested upon him as trustee for the debt of £3,000 on the battalion's drill hall; whether he can state upon what grounds the Volunteer decoration was withheld from Colonel Champney until after the notice in the Gazette was issued, although he was entitled to it and had been recommended for it; and whether he will now take measures to furnish Colonel Champney with a copy of the evidence which has induced the War Office to force Colonel Champney's retirement; and also to free Colonel Champney, now that he has no longer any financial contre, from the liability for the Drill Hall debt?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANColonel Champney was called upon to resign as the result of a Court of Inquiry held in October in 1892; and a letter 1840 which he wrote to the General Officer commanding the district, though somewhat informal, was accepted as a compliance on his part. Colonel Champney had been a zealous officer, and, I believe, had greatly exerted himself to reduce the financial liability of the corps, but the Drill Hall debt is not shown in the "Annual Statement of Accounts" of the battalion, and the matter is not one in which the War Office can intervene. On leaving the Service he was permitted to retain his rank, and the grant to him of the Volunteer decoration was gazetted on the 28th of February. The evidence given before a Court of Inquiry is confidential and cannot be published.