§ SIR ROBERT PEELI wish, Sir, with the permission of the House, to ask a Question of Her Majesty's Government about the state of affairs in South Africa. We understood, before separating some little time ago, that the Government would be in a position to make some announcement, after the Whitsun Holidays, about the state of affairs in Zululand. We expected a statement of the information in their possession. I should like to ask what is the limit of the number of troops to be sent out to the Cape? It appears that during the last few days reinforcements to the number of 2,000 troops have been sent out to reinforce the Army of 26,000 or 27,000 already lining the Frontier of Natal, under the command of a General who has been superseded in the field before the enemy. It would be desirable to know what is the limitation to be put to the reinforcements; and I, therefore, wish to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is intended to send out any more troops to that part of South Africa?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, I think it would be convenient if the right hon. Baronet had given me some Notice of 1553 his Question. All I can say is this—with regard to the information in my possession, I have always taken the earliest opportunity of making it known to the public, who take a deep interest in this question, by means of the public Press. All the intelligence I possess was sent to the papers on Sunday night, and appeared in yesterday morning's papers. That is all that has reached me. As regards the necessity of sending out further troops to reinforce those already in South Africa, I am not aware that at the present moment there is any such necessity; but if further troops are required, it would, of course, be the duty of a person holding my position to advise that they should be sent.
§ SIR JULIAN GOLDSMIDasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he had any information to give the House as to the health of the troops in South Africa?
§ COLONEL STANLEYSir, the last accounts I have heard are that the health of the troops is improving, and the last medical Report—I cannot remember the exact date of it—is certainly to that effect.