§ LORD FITZGERALD,in rising to ask the Under Secretary of State for the War Department, Whether it is intended to supply helmets for the use of the privates of the several Militia regiments so as to enable them to take part in the training and celebrations of Her Most Gracious Majesty's Jubilee year in full and proper costume? said, that for some time the anomaly had been presented of the officers of Militia wearing helmets and of the non-commissioned officers and men wearing the Glengarry. When the present territorial system was instituted, and Militia regiments wore constituted third and fourth battalions of Line regiments, there was an understanding that they should be placed as nearly as possible, so far as dress and accoutrements were concerned, on the same footing as soldiers of the Line. Notwithstanding this, the rank and file of the Militia had been kept for years without helmets, and with no other head-dress than the ordinary Glengarry bonnet. That they had to wear in all weathers, and under all circumstances, although the Glengarry was very little protection from the rain, and none at all from the wind and sun. It was especially hard on men, usually in civil attire, to have their hair cut close, and to be compelled continuously to wear a cap which was no protection from the weather. Moreover, it was highly objectionable in a military point of view that on field days, when the troops had to be in review order, the Militia could not turn out properly dressed. While both the Line and the Volunteers appeared on such occasions in helmets, the 1285 Militia, although they might be in the same brigade, could not wear the same headdress. There were plenty of helmets which could be served out, and he trusted that, at least on the occasion of Her Majesty's Jubilee, the 10,000 Militia who would take part in the Review would not be allowed to appear without helmets.
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Lord HARRIS),in reply, said, that with regard to the supply of helmets to Militia regiments taking part in the Review to be held on July 9 the arrangements for that Review wore not yet complete in detail; but in making the arrangements the point referred to by the noble and learned Lord should not be overlooked. With regard to the issue of helmets to Militia regiments during their training, it had been laid down by Lord Cardwell and Lord Cranbrook that, while disembodied, the Militia should wear undress uniform of the territorial regiments to which they were attached, and the Secretary of State was of opinion that to change this order would be inadvisable at the present moment.
§ THE EARL OF STRAFFORDsaid, that formerly the Militia wore the shako in full dress, and he could see no reason why they should not now wear the helmet.
LORD HARRISsaid, that the question of the issue of helmets to the Militia had been gone into at full length by a Commission and decided in the manner he had stated.