§ SIR HENRY TYLERasked the Secretary of State for War, to be so good as to inform the House, Whether the late Sir George Colley advanced towards the Transvaal with the force at his disposal by the Newcastle and Lang's Nek route in full telegraphic communication with England; whether the disadvantages and dangers of that route, in comparison with an alternative route, were fully pointed out to and admitted by the Intelligence Department in England, by an officer lately returned from the Transvaal; and, whether such information was telegraphed to Sir George Colley; or, if not, why it was withheld from him?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to state that Sir George Colley was in tele- 915 graphic communication with England when he advanced by the Newcastle and Lang's Nek route. It is also true that a gentleman who had formerly been a lieutenant in the Army suggested to the Intelligence Department a different route for an advance on the Transvaal. But it is further true that Sir George Colley was fully aware of this route, and of its disadvantages and advantages. I must ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman, under these circumstances, not to include in any Question he may address to me indications of a route for military operations which is perfectly well known to us, but which had better not be made known to others.