MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Under-Secretary for War 491 whether he is aware that those units who have volunteered for duty in Edinburgh during the forthcoming visit of His Majesty, in addition to having to pay the hire of horses, pay of men, railway journey, forage and rations of both horses and men, have also been informed that they must pay the hire of camping grounds, extension of water supplies, all engineer services, including water troughs and ablution tables, but also all sanitary services, including the freight of latrine screens from Stirling, and all camp equipment, including tents and head ropes from the ordnance; and whether, seeing that the cost to regiments will be several hundreds of pounds for railway and maintenance, he can see his way to defraying the cost of freight of ordnance and engineer stores out of public funds, and their erection where necessary?
§ Colonel SEELYInquiry is being made with a view to seeing whether anything can be done towards meeting part of the expenses referred to.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that certain commanding officers, in order to have the privilege of attending, willingly made certain bargains, and they are asked to pay these things at the end?
§ Sir WALTER MENZIESDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it is desirable to provide individuals in Scotland with part of these expenses in order that His Majesty may be properly received by the loyal inhabitants?
§ Colonel SEELYThe question referred to those units who volunteered of their own free will to come to Edinburgh on this occasion. It does not apply to those who were formally invited or ordered to attend. It is only those who volunteered to come.
§ Captain WARINGMay I ask whether in view of the fact that these regiments have already made considerable sacrifices in order to perform this duty, he cannot see his way to bear the whole of these expenses?
§ Colonel SEELYI have said inquiries are being made in order to see if anything can be done to meet part of the expenses. It would not be reasonable to bear all the expenses, nor is that asked for. Certain troops were invited, and others were ordered; but it is to those who volunteered that I am referring.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINECan the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the regiments outside the locality who were ordered or invited to attend?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, Sir. I think the Noble Lord refers to his own regiment. It was not invited, but he was good enough to express an intention to come.
§ Mr. WATTWill the right hon. Gentleman see that the volunteers in Edinburgh get precisely the same terms as those in London?
§ Colonel SEELYCertainly; if the circumstances were the same they should be treated alike.
§ Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of inviting representatives from all the regiments in Scotland?
§ Colonel SEELYI think it is too late to make that arrangement now; much too late.