HC Deb 09 May 1881 vol 261 c22
LORD EUSTACE CECIL

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the great danger of a native rising in the Transvaal, and of the critical state of our negotiations, as suggested by his answer on Monday last, he can explain the exact position of the garrisons in the Transvaal under the terms of the armistice by which they were to be allowed to receive provisions, but no material of war?

MR. GLADSTONE

I do not wish to be committed by the terms of the Question in the answer which I give; and I take it for granted that the noble Lord's object is not to ask me to go into military details, but simply to state the condition of the garrisons. Taking the Question in that view, I have no hesitation in answering that, in the first place, as regards the provisioning of the garrisons there is no difficulty whatever. In regard to ammunition, they are also well supplied.