§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War when did the comments and strictures of Lord Roberts on the operations at Spion Kop, dated 13th February, roach the War Office, and why were those comments and strictures withheld from the public till 17th April, and published when Parliament was not sitting.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM, Dover)Lord Roberts's despatch covering all the documents bearing upon Sir R. Buller's second attempt to relieve Lady-smith was received on the 9th of March. The interval which elapsed between its receipt and its publication on the 12th instant was occupied by the printing of the documents, the consideration of their contents, and telegraphic correspondence which took place between Lord Roberts and the Secretary of State on the question of publication.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLThe delay is so great that we want Joshua's sun.