§ MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the paragraph in The Times of 5th July, with regard to military preparations for South Africa, and the despatch of special service officers, was communicated to other newspapers as well as to The Times, and if so to which; and whether the officers despatched to organise residents and local forces will act independently of the Ministers of any self-governing Colonies in which the said residents and local forces may be.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThe answer to the first question is in the negative. The officers selected for special service in South Africa will report themselves to, and act under the orders of, the general officer commanding Her Majesty's forces in that country. Their position in relation to the civil authorities of the colonies concerned will not differ from that of other officers already serving in the same command.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.).Can the hon. Gentleman state on what principle the information was given to The Times newspaper and not to other papers?
§ * MR. WYNDHAMI have no idea. I suppose they asked for it.
§ MR. DILLONI do not think that is a sufficient answer. I do not think the hon. Gentleman has answered my question.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)It is the Pigott relationship.