§ GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his statement that discharged soldiers were unfit to be employed as messengers in the House of Commons, and were subject to temptations there which made it a little difficult to appoint them, was based on information given by individual Members of the House of Commons, or on reports made by the officials in charge of the staff; and, whether he would state any instances showing their unfitness, or where they have succumbed to temptation?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe statement made by me conveyed the opinions officially expressed by those responsible as to the desirability or the reverse of appointing retired soldiers as messengers in the House of Commons. No instances were given, and I am not without hope that the view may be modified. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ GENERAL LAURIEasked whether the present staff had given satisfaction?
§ MR. BRODRICKI am not responsible for them, but I should say the present staff was admirable. ["Hear, hear!"]