§ 107. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whose order Sir Francis Vane, having reported to the commanding officer in Dublin on 26th April last the shooting at Portobello Barracks and advised that Captain Bowen-Colthurst should be placed under arrest, was himself on 1st May ordered to hand over his own command to the said Captain Bowen-Colthurst; whether the officer who ordered this has been subjected to any form of trial; and where is he now serving?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am not aware that Sir F. Vane acted as stated in the early part of the question. On 1st May Sir F. Vane, who did not belong to the battalion in Portobello Barracks, was sent back to other duties by the officer commanding the battalion. Captain Bowen-Colthurst was ordered by the latter not to leave barracks, and was given charge of the barracks defences, in order that he might be* retained under the personal observation of his commanding officer, pending instructions from higher authority. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the part of the question of which he says he is not aware, has been repeatedly admitted by Ministers?