HC Deb 30 April 1900 vol 82 cc271-2
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the War Office authorities have any explanation to offer with reference to the absence of all comment, stricture, or expression of opinion by the Commander- in-Chief on the operations of the battle of Magersfontein, and his comments on the operations at Stormberg or Spion Kop.

* MR. WYNDHAM

No, Sir. I must say I think the hon. Gentleman will realise that he is asking not a question of fact, but a question of opinion, which must be highly speculative.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Then, may I ask this—Have these operations at Magersfontein been exempted from criticism because Lord Methuen is a society peer, in Court favour?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! Obviously that is not a proper question.