HC Deb 02 August 1900 vol 87 cc425-6
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I 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 the band of the Coldstream Guards played at intervals on Saturday last at Compton Place, Eastbourne, at a garden party to which the Duke of Devonshire invited nearly 4,000 members of the United Conservative and Liberal Unionist Associations of the Eastbourne Parliamentary Division of Sussex; whether the band went to the garden party with the permission of the colonel of the regiment; and whether it is with the sanction of the Secretary of State for War that soldiers in a Queen's regiment were allowed to take part in a political gathering of a party character.

*MR. WYNDHAM

Sanction was given by the colonel of the regiment. His action was approved by the General Officer Commanding the Home District, who was under the impression that the engagement was not of a political nature. I have no reason to believe so either.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the Queen's Regulation prohibiting bands from attending political gatherings? Was not this a gathering of the Primrose League?

*MR. WYNDHAM

I have no reason to believe it was a political gathering.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that cards of invitation were sent out to members of the Liberal Unionist Association for such and such a Division of this county? Is not that a political gathering?

*MR. WYNDHAM

I am not aware of it.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Then what is the hon. Gentleman aware of?