§ MR. J. H. DALZIELI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether his attention has been called to a political speech of Sir Redvers Buller, Adjutant-General of Her Majesty's Forces, at the Crediton Constitutional Club, and reported in The Times of 13th April; whether it is usual for Officers of the Army to criticise the action of the Government; whether paragraphs 8 and 11 of Section VI. of the Queen's Regulations apply to the Adjutant-General; and, whether the Secretary of State has taken, or will take, official notice of the matter?
§ *MR. BRODRICKThe paragraphs referred to would, no doubt, apply to the Adjutant-General in common with all other officers of the Army; but the 897 speech delivered by Sir Redvers Buller as reported in The Times of April 13, does not contravene either of these paragraphs; it was not delivered at a discussion among military men, nor was the Adjutant-General taking part in a political or party demonstration in the neighbourhood of a camp or barracks. The Secretary of State holds that officers on the Headquarters Staff should be specially careful not to become involved in political questions, and will take care that the customary limits are strictly observed by all concerned.
§ MR. DALZIELI wish to ask the hon. Gentleman whether he disputes the fact that this speech was of a strictly party character?
§ *MR. BRODRICKI have only read the report of the speech that appeared in The Times, and it seems to me to be rather of a military than of a party character, and does not contravene the paragraphs of the regulations.
MR. T. M. HEALYWill the hon. Gentleman inform Sir Redvers Buller that at the time the Transvaal was given up Mr. Chamberlain and Lord Hartington were in Her Majesty's Government? [Cries of "Order!"]
§ MR. DALZIELI will call attention to this matter on the Estimates.