§ COLONEL RUSSELL (Cheltenham)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, will he state what portion of the provisions supplied to the troops during the Ashanti Expedition came from Germany, and how much money went to Foreign in place of to British contractors on that account; and, whether it would have been possible to have obtained the same provisions in this country?
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSAbout five tons of dried vegetables, of a description and quality not procurable in the United Kingdom, as has already been stated in this House, were obtained from Germany for the Ashanti Expedition. The value was below £500; but it is not usual to disclose contract prices.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether, when our troops entered Kumasi, permission was given to them to pillage the palace and the treasure house; and, if this pillage did take place, whether he can state where the spoils 1018 thus taken are at present placed, and what is their ultimate destination?
§ MR. BRODRICKPermission was not given for any pillaging at Kumasi. On the contrary, it was strictly prohibited in general orders, and any case which came to notice was summarily dealt with by the Provost-Marshal. The articles found in the King's house were of little importance or value, and were sold by auction in Kumasi for, £150 16s. 9d. The treasure had been mostly removed by the Ashantis except 680oz. of gold.
§ MR. DALZIELWere there any cases of Court-martial?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot tell the hon. Gentleman that.
§ SIR W. LAWSONBy whom were those articles sold for the Government?
§ MR. BRODRICKI think that question must be addressed to the Colonial Secretary.
§ SIR W. LAWSONIs it true that Prempeh's crown is at the Colonial Office, under the control of the Colonial Secretary? [ Laughter.]