HC Deb 24 February 1898 vol 53 c1514
MR. S. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to an article which appeared in the Railway Review, under date 24th December, 1897, in which an appeal, signed by G. Lloyd, Captain and Adjutant, Recruiting Officer, is made to the Army Reserve men in the Wrexham district (North Wales) to act as pickets for the protection of the railway company's property, and with a view of preventing intimidation of those members of the railway staff who wish to continue their duties in the event of a railway strike taking place which at that time was threatened; and whether it is legal for a Captain in the Army to interfere in a dispute of this character, and, if it is not, whether he will cause an inquiry into the conduct of this officer?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. W. ST. JOHN BRODRIOK,) Surrey, Guildford

Without expressing an opinion as to the legality of Captain Lloyd's proceeding, I may soy that the Commander-in-Chief, on 21st January, expressed his disapproval of the action of Captain Lloyd, as well as of that of a superior officer who sanctioned his action.