HC Deb 07 July 1899 vol 74 cc186-7
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN (Stirling Burghs)

I wish to ask the First Lord of the Treasury—with reference to what appears to be an official communiqué in The Times newspaper this morning with regard to the despatch of troops to South Africa—whether he has any statement to make to the House of Commons on the subject.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

I am not aware that the statement which appears in The Times is a communiqué, but I have to say, since the right hon. Gentleman asks me, that no contingency has yet arisen which, in the opinion of the Government, necessitates any material increase in the forces now stationed in South Africa. But, in existing circumstances, we think it is necessary to bring that force up to a proper standard of efficiency and mobility.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

It is not with regard to the bringing up of the forces already in South Africa to a certain state of efficiency that I wish to inquire. It is as to this paragraph in an apparently official statement— The Commander-in-Chief has been engaged in completing the organisation and composition of the larger force which it will be necessary to despatch to South Africa in the event of the negotiations at present in progress with the Government of the Transvaal proving unsuccessful. It is with regard to that—a new declaration of Government policy—that I wish to ask.

AIR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir, there is no declaration of policy in that paragraph. But I conceive that the War Office would be extraordinarily wanting in the most obvious duties if they were not prepared for any emergency, however undesirable and however unlikely, which could possibly arise.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northamptonshire)

May I ask whether the officers stated in this communiqué to be going out to South Africa to organise the forces are to go into the Cape Colony and into Natal to organise them; and, if so, is it with the consent of the Ministers of those colonies?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I do not know.

COMMANDER BETHELL (Yorkshire, Holderness)

Can my right hon. friend inform the House in what circumstances these special officers are likely to be used, and against what enemies of the Queen?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, Sir. My hon. and gallant friend is quite as much of a prophet as I am, and it would require the gift of prophecy to predict all these contingencies.