HC Deb 27 June 1893 vol 14 cc147-8
MR. JEFFREYS (Hants, Basingstoke)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to carry out the promise made by the late Secretary of State for War to inquire into the alleged grievances of the purchase officers of the Army by some tribunal of this House?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling, &c.)

I am not sure that the right hon. Gentleman the Member for the Horncastle Division would admit that any promise he gave on this subject has not been substantially fulfilled. But, speaking for myself, I would say that I am not prepared to re-open this question, although I am always ready to look into any individual case of alleged grievance.

MR. E. STANHOPE (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

Perhaps I may be allowed to say that that was not the promise I gave at all.

MR. JEFFREYS

But are not these the right hon. Gentleman's words according to Hansard:— I have always said that if any cases or class of cases are brought before me I should not only be glad to investigate them myself but be willing to refer them to some tribunal of the House of Commons for investigation with a limited reference.

MR. STANHOPE

That is perfectly true; I did say that in regard to any particular case, but not as to the general question of these alleged grievances.