§ MR. MACNEILLI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the attention of the Secretary of State for War has been directed to the fact that, by permission of the Colonel, the band of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry played at intervals on Saturday afternoon at a garden party of the -Members of the Victoria Habitation of the League at Loughlinstown, near Dublin, when a speech was made directing the attention of the audience to their obligations to the Primrose League in securing the wonderful unity of the Unionist Party and to the magnificent work performed by a member in maintaining the principles of the Primrose League; and, whether it is with the sanction of the Secretary of State for War that soldiers in a Queen's regiment are, by the permission of their Colonel, allowed to take part in political meetings of a distinctly partisan character?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe hand of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry was asked, and permitted by the commanding officer, to play at a garden party. Had it been known that there was any intention of turning a private party into a political meeting the attendance of the band would not have been allowed. ["Hear, hear!"]
§ MR. MACNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the member referred to in my Question was a lady, that a diamond bracelet was presented to her, and that the Queen's band, in celebration of that happy event, struck up "See the Conquering Hero Comes"? ["Hear, hear!" and laughter.]
§ [No answer was given.]