HC Deb 24 June 1897 vol 50 cc503-5
SIR WILLIAM WEDDERBURN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India from what funds the expenses incurred in bringing men and officers of the Indian Imperial Service Corps and Indian cavalry to. England on account of the Jubilee Commemoration will be defrayed?

LORD GEORGE HAMILTON

The native States concerned defray the expense of sending home the representatives of the Imperial Service troops, and similar charges for the Indian cavalry will be borne by Indian revenues. The charges for the reception and entertainment of both parties in England will be defrayed from the Imperial Treasury.

MR. J. L. WANKLYN (Bradford, Central)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if arrangements can be made for the detachments of Indian and Colonial Troops who are our national guests to visit Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, and Bristol before their departure?

MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that Question, may I ask him to give a more favourable consideration to this request, as in Belfast certainly the proposition would be received in the most cordial way.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

My noble Friend the Secretary of State for India will answer so far as the Indian Troops are concerned. But as regards the Colonial Troops, I have to say that, considering the short time remaining before the departure of the majority of them, it would be absolutely impossible to make such arrangements as suggested by the hon. Member.

MR. WANKLYN

remarked that he had received a telegram from Bradford stating that if the Colonial Troops visited that town they would be warmly received. He hoped, therefore, the right hon. Gentleman would favourably consider the matter.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN

I have not the slightest doubt that the Indian and Colonial Troops would be warmly received everywhere in the United Kingdom, and I wish that their stay were sufficiently prolonged to enable them to visit all the towns which have already intimated their desire to hospitably entertain them. It must be borne in mind that the Premiers of the self-governing Colonies have visited most of these towns, and in that way have elicited the feelings of the population. [Cheers.]

MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, as representing the Postmaster General, whether he is aware that there is a serious delay in the delivery of letters at Chelsea Barracks, causing great inconvenience to the Colonial Troops; and whether he will institute an inquiry and remedy the same?

MR. HANBURY

There has been no delay so far as the Post Office is concerned. On the contrary, the delivery has been effected rather earlier than usual. The whole of the correspondence is handed to the Corporal in the Library, in accordance with the standing arrangement, and if there has been any delay and consequent inconvenience to the Colonial Troops, the responsibility does not rest with the Postmaster General.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury under what heading and item in the Estimates the expenses incurred for the transport of bodies of officers and men and horses of the Royal Irish Constabulary from Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Derry, and Limerick to London, including the expense of a special train from Holyhead to London, to take part in the Jubilee Procession, will be included?

MR. HANBURY

The expenses in question will be charged upon the Constabulary Vote in the ordinary manner.

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether ho is able to express his entire satisfaction with the police arrangements, whereby the public have been enabled to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen. The right hon. Baronet added that ho wished he could have so worded the Question as to elicit a tribute to the other Departments concerned, and especially to the admirable behaviour of the public.

SIR H. FOWLER (Wolverhampton, E.)

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any special grant is to be made, and, if so, of what amount, to the police for their extra services?

MR. J. AIRD (Paddington, N.)

I wish to ask the right lion. Gentleman if he can state whether consideration will be given to the police force of the Metropolis for their most successful efforts in keeping order during the Jubilee rejoicings, and also whether a medal will be given to the police to commemorate the occasion. ["Hear, hear!"]

*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, Blackpool

With regard to the Question on the Paper, I may say that I have already expressed to the Metropolitan and City Police my entire satisfaction with the arrangements that had been made and the manner in which they were carried out by all concerned. [Cheers.] I hope that that expression of my satisfaction will meet with the entire concurrence of this House and the public. [Cheers.] With reference to the Question as to a grant to the police, there has hardly yet been sufficient time to give the matter attention. As the House will understand, the Commissioner and all others concerned have been extremely busy during the last few weeks; but I hope, to lose no time in coining to a decision on the matter. [" Hear, hear!"] The same answer will apply to the Question of my hon. Friend as to the medal.