HC Deb 18 June 1903 vol 123 c1307
MR. SLOAN (Belfast, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the 1st Battalion of Royal Irish Rifles have been six years on foreign service, he can state when they are likely to return to the Home depôt.

MR. BRODRICK

As the ordinary tour abroad of an infantry unit is sixteen or seventeen years, this battalion is not likely to return home for some years.

MR. SLOAN

But did not this battalion suffer severely during the war?

MR. BRODRICK

I am afraid that the hardships suffered by this battalion were also suffered by the great majority of our battalions in South Africa, and to recall this one would only put a further burden on some other battalion.

MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)

Are these men already tired of serving their country?

No answer was returned.