HC Deb 23 April 1895 vol 32 cc1500-2
MR. WILLIAM REDMOND

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Irish soldiers belonging to the 22nd Company, Royal Artillery, Central District, and to the 1st and 8th Companies, Western District, Malta, were ordered on St. Patrick's Day to remove from their helmets the shamrock which they wore in honour of the national festival of Ireland; and, if so, upon what authority the order was given; and whether it is intended to deprive Irish soldiers of the right to wear the emblem of their country upon St. Patrick's Day?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The General Officer commanding at Malta states that, on St. Patrick's Day, Lieutenant Quain, No. 8 Company, Royal Artillery, and Sergeant Scanlan, No. 22 Company, Royal Artillery, when parading for church ordered the men to remove the shamrocks from their helmets, the former explaining that it might be worn after parade. No orders from superior authority had been given on the subject, and the officer and non-commissioned officer, who are Irishmen, considered that they were justified by the Regulations in not allowing any departure from the dress prescribed for parades. The men made no application on the subject, and no complaints.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether we are to understand that if application had been made by the men they would have been allowed to wear the shamrocks?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I cannot say. That would have been left to the discretion of the lieutenant in command and the sergeant.

MR. W. REDMOND

I would ask, in view of the undoubted feeling created in Ireland over this and other similar matters, whether the right hon. Gentleman will state his opinion as to whether Irish soldiers should be allowed the gratification of wearing national emblems on St. Patrick's Day?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I have already explained my opinion. I see no harm in wearing the emblem, provided it causes no offence to the other soldiers who are concerned. But in this case it appears that the officer commanding and the N.C. officer, both being Irishmen, thought it was undesirable that anything extra regimental and beyond the ordinary uniform should be worn at the Church parade, but it was intimated to the men that they might wear shramrocks at any other time of the day. In that case I do not think there is any necessity for interfering with the discretion of the officer.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware of the fact that, upon St. Patrick's Day, in Dublin there is a general military parade in the castle yard, which is taken part in by the Lord Lieutenant, and at which the Lord Lieutenant himself and the officers and men are allowed to wear the shamrock; and why, if they are allowed to wear the shamrock in Ireland, should they not be allowed to do so in Malta?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not see why they might not wear anything they like of that innocent and laudable nature. At the same time I do not think it need be made, of so great importance.

MR. W. REDMOND

I submit this is a matter of very considerable importance. I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take some steps to have it generally circulated in the ranks of the Army that, on St. Patrick's Day, Irish soldiers should be allowed to wear the shamrock, provided that they ask leave to do so?

*MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

No, Sir; I must leave that to the common-sense and good feelings of those commanding units in the Army, who, I feel quite certain, will do what is right?

MR. W. REDMOND

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in the notices which are posted in Ireland as to enlistments in the Army, have inserted in it the statement that——

*MR. SPEAKER

I think the hon. Gentleman is exceeding the limits, and should give notice of that question.

MR. W. REDMOND

I certainly bow to your ruling, Sir; but I beg to give notice that on the first——

*MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice in the ordinary way.