§ MR. GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for War, Has he ascertained how many Soudanese troops were killed at El Teb, and how many were wounded on the same occasion; and, will he state what are the estimated figures?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONWe are still without Sir Gerald Graham's full despatch containing- particulars of the battle; but I imagine we must shortly receive it. I would, however, remark that it is not usual for a General to give more than a conjectural estimate of the loss of an enemy in action, and that he has obviously no means of arriving at a correct result in such a matter. Of course, it would be impossible for him to make even a conjectural estimate of the number of wounded. I will inform the right hon. and learned Gentleman as soon as the despatch is received.
§ MR. GIBSONSo far what I have heard from the noble Lord amounts to nothing. Bearing in mind that the newspapers have stated specifically that our troops buried about 2,500 bodies of Soudanese troops; and bearing in mind also that I asked this Question, a week ago, and postponed it in order to enable the noble Lord to obtain information, I think he might have telegraphed specialty to the Soudan to ascertain if there was any foundation for the report.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONAs I told the right hon. and learned Gentleman a week ago, we expected before this to receive a despatch which would probably contain all the information which General Graham is able to give. It does not appear to me to be desirable that the onerous duties which fall to officers when engaged on active service of this description should be increased by sending to them more telegrams than are absolutely necessary. This is a subject of no great importance for the moment, because it does not appear that any action can be founded on the information.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLWho is bringing home the despatches?
§ MR. GIBSONI shall put another I Question on this subject next week.