§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing in the Royal Irish Regiment, stationed at Aldershot, embodied since 14th May 1900, at not being yet disbanded or allowed to return to their homos on unlimited working furlough as other Militia regiments were allowed after six months service; and whether he can say when this regiment will be disbanded or allowed unlimited working furlough.
LORD STANLEYI am not aware of any such dissatisfaction. No date can be given at present for the disembodiment of this regiment. The question of extended furlough rests entirely with the commanding officer, to whom general instructions have been issued, and who alone can decide, with a view to the efficiency of his regiment, how many men he can snare at a particular time.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENIs the noble Lord aware that this regiment refused to volunteer for service in South Africa, because they did not desire to fight against the Boers, and the men are under the impression that they are being punished for that refusal?
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI am, for a large number of them are my constituents.