§ COLONEL STUART KNOXsaid, he wished to put a Question to his right hon. and gallant Friend (Sir Henry Storks) as to the autumn manœuvres. There must, in his opinion, have been some Minute from His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief with reference to this subject, for it was impossible to conceive that His Royal Highness could have been completely ignored—
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman should not state matters of opinion in putting his Question.
§ COLONEL STUART KNOXsaid, his object was to ascertain whether such a Minute had been made, and, if not, why not? The Reports published, instead of being addressed to His Royal Highness, were addressed to Lieutenant General Sir Edward Lugard; he believed, therefore, that these must be considered as garbled Reports and extracts merely—
§ MR. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Gentleman is not entitled, in asking a Question, to state his personal opinion.
§ COLONEL STUART KNOXThen he would confine himself to asking, Whether there was any Minute by His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief upon the subject; if not, why His Royal Highness had not been consulted; and why the only Minute which had been put forward was one signed by his right hon. and gallant Friend himself who was the accused party?
§ SIR HENRY STORKS, in reply, said, he thought it hardly fair that such Questions as this should be put without previous Notice. However, he was prepared to say that he was not aware of there being any written Minute by His Royal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, nor was he aware that the Reports were garbled in any way. The Reports were addressed to Lieutenant General Sir Edward Lugard, as he was the Under Secretary of State for the War Department; the instructions were given at a War Office meeting. He was not aware that he was an accused party in any respect. He should be very glad to answer any accusation that might be made.