§ 9. Major HUNTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the War Office will give authority for all ranks in English regiments to wear their national emblem, the rose, on St. George's Day, to the same extent as it is given to all ranks in Irish regiments to wear their national emblem, the shamrock, on St. Patrick's Day?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo, Sir; it has been decided to leave it to the discretion of the commanding officers to apply for permission.
§ Major HUNTWhy is it that Irishmen are allowed to wear their national emblem without having to apply for authority to do so, while Englishmen have to apply, and why is that distinction made between Irishman and Englishmen?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think Englishmen or Scotsmen in the old days really were very anxious to wear any such 1231 badge, but Irishmen were, and, if my hon. and gallant Friend will read my answer, he will find that it was customary to give authority in those cases to the commanding officer when applied for.
§ Major HUNTAll Irish regiments of all ranks are allowed to wear emblems without applying to the commanding officer, and why cannot the same rule apply to Englishmen of English regiments?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONAs I have pointed out, the Irish regiments had always taken the precaution to see that they had authority from the War Office.