HC Deb 19 February 1900 vol 79 cc365-6
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, when the North Cork Militia volunteered for foreign service, they were distinctly informed that their services were required for the war in South Africa, or whether many members of the regiment believed that, by volunteering for foreign service, they merely volunteered to go abroad to Gibraltar or some similar station; whether early in the morning of 13th January the regiment were removed by special train from Templemore, where they had been stationed, to Queenstown, and embarked in the troopship for South Africa without being allowed to take leave of their wives and children or other near relatives who had travelled to Queenstown from various parts of the County Cork to bid them farewell, and who had in many cases, owing to their extreme poverty, passed the night in the open air; whether it is the fact that the men were put up in locked carriages, and were thus precluded from shaking hands with or even seeing their relatives, who crowded the railway station to take a last look at them; and what explanation, if any, has the Secretary of State for War to offer of this treatment.

MR. WYNDHAM

Battalions are invited to volunteer for service abroad, thus obviating disappointment if they are not selected for South Africa. There is no foundation for the allegation in the first paragraph of the question. It has been found necessary, in order to prevent confusion and accidents, to lay down strict rules in regard to embarkation. In accordance with these, no persons except on duty were allowed on the platforms or quays until the troops had embarked, when the general public were allowed on the quay until the vessel sailed. The railway carriages arc generally locked to prevent accidents.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Am I to gather from this explanation that the relatives of these men were not permitted to bid them "Good-bye"?

MR. WYNDHAM

I do not think that would be a fair inference. They had precisely the same privileges as are enjoyed by ladies of all ranks in this country.

MR. FLAVIN

Is the right km. Gentleman aware that some of the friends of the Militiamen were locked out and prevented seeing the men off?

[No answer was given.]