HC Deb 15 August 1879 vol 249 cc1036-7
SIR HENRY HAVELOCK

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he will take into consideration the desirability of extending some mark of favour to Mr. Archibald Forbes, special correspondent of the "Daily News," in recognition of the public services performed by him in being the bearer of the despatches of the successful action at Ulundi, under circumstances of considerable personal hazard, fatigue, and endurance?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, this is, certainly, rather a novel Question. As far as I understand, it is a question whether the Government will extend some mark of favour to Mr. Archibald Forbes for performing services in connection with his duty as a newspaper correspondent. [Sir HENRY HAVELOOK: No, no!] Then I hardly know under what circumstances the Government are called upon to consider the matter. The Question is one which should rather be addressed to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War than to myself.

SIR HENEY HAVELOCK

said, the Chancellor of the Exchequer seemed to have misapprehended the purport of his Question. If the right hon. Gentleman would read it, he would see that the claim to a mark of favour was in relation not to Mr. Forbes's services as correspondent, but to a public service performed by him in the conveyance of a despatch.