§ THE EARL OF MAR AND KELLIE had the following Notice on the Paper—To call attention to a recent resolution of the Stirling Town Council, and to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War on what grounds has the saluting battery been removed from the fortress of Stirling Castle, and why the Castle has been deleted from the list of stations at which saluting batteries are authorised. (Amendment No. 34 to King's Regulations, 1928, paragraph 915.)
§ The noble Earl said: My Lords, since I put this Notice on the Paper, the Town Council of. Stirling have received a communication from the War Office stating that the saluting battery which had been withdrawn was to be restored. So far so good, but I retained the Notice on the Paper because I desire to enter a strong protest against the manner in which the War Office have handled this matter. Without a word to anyone, without a word to the Lord-Lieutenant of the County or to the County Council of Stirlingshire, or to the Town Council, or to myself, having some hereditary interest in the castle, an amendment of the King's Regulations was made at the commencement of the year striking Stirling Castle out from the list of saluting stations. As your Lordships know, Stirling Castle is an ancient fortress, and a royal palace. It is at present used as a recruiting depot for one of the most distinguished Highland regiments. On national occasions, salutes have been fired from its ramparts from time immemorial. After all, there are only two saluting stations in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle, while there are eight in England and two in the Channel Islands, surely not an undue proportion for Scotland.
§ As for economy, which I understand is put forward by the Government for 90 wishing to suppress the battery, surely the cost of firing a few blank cartridges from four obsolete cannon on four or five days in the year will not amount to very much money—I should say a few pounds in a year. In any case, the suppression of this battery and the manner of doing it has caused a great amount of resentment throughout the whole district of the Highlands borders. The action of the Town Council of Stirling was only the beginning of the agitation, and the fiery cross was being prepared, but "all's well that ends well." The battery has been restored, I hope never to be threatened again. I would with great respect suggest to the Secretary of State for War, and to the Under-Secretary of State, Lord Marley, that in affairs of ancient usage and in matters of sentiment they should be careful how they grasp the thistle because it sometimes pricks. But in the circumstances I am not making any Motion, and I am not asking the Question. I simply desire an assurance from the noble Lord, Lord Marley, that Amendment 34 to paragraph 915 of King's Regulations, 1928, will be or has been definitely cancelled.
§ LORD MARLEYMy Lords, you will see that the position of the Government is exceedingly difficult. When we propose to practise economy, we are hauled over the coals and told that we have no right to do it. When we do not propose to practise economy, the heart of the noble Lord, Lord Banbury, is again hardened against us, and the vials of his wrath are poured out on our devoted heads.
§ LORD BANBURY OF SOUTHAMYou always do it on the wrong thing.
§ LORD MARLEYSo says every noble Lord who is interested in a special subject. It is one of the hardest things to accept economy in that aspect of public life in which we are ourselves interested. This is not only a question of ammunition; it is a question of the upkeep and cleaning of the guns, providing the personnel and safety arrangements during the firing of the salute. I can assure the noble Lord that no discourtesy was meant in the proposal to discontinue the saluting, and of course the noble Lord knows that the Party I have the honour to represent has a 91 passion for tradition, a passion for ancient usage, which is quite unequalled in any other Party in the country. It is one of the guiding principles of the Socialist Party that we shall cling to tradition where it is valuable, and where it can be practised with due regard to economy and the good of the country. I will convey the observations of the noble Lord to my right hon. friend the Secretary of State and he can rely that he will not have any cause again to complain with regard to Stirling Castle.