HC Deb 13 December 1900 vol 88 cc671-2
MR. SEELY (Lincoln)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War † The Service referred to in this question and answer was not held. whether as the Commander-in-Chief is returning home and is reported to have said that the war is now practically over, he can state to the House what arrangements the Government are making to enable those of the Yeomanry and Volunteers who wish to do so to obtain their discharge, as promised in the terms of enlistment published on 26th December last.

* MR. BRODRICK

I regret that I cannot add anything to the statement I made in the House on Tuesday last†

MR. SEELY

Is it not correctly stated in the question that these men were promised in their terms of enlistment that they should have option of discharge when the war was over?

* MR. BRODRICK

Yes, the time was a year, or until the conclusion of the war. The war cannot be said to be over in the sense of allowing the troops to be sent home. We have acted on the advice of Lord Roberts in withdrawing troops.

MR. SEELY

Were they not given the option of return if the war concluded before the end of the year?

* MR. BRODRICK

I cannot hold out any hope that the war will be over before the end of the year. The conditions were perfectly clear—the engagements were for a year or until the conclusion of the war. Had the war lasted less than a year then the men would have had option of return, but to many the engagements will prove to be for more than a year.

MR. SEELY

What will the right hon. Gentleman consider the end of the war?

MR. THOMAS BAYLEY

Did not Lord Roberts state that the war was practically over?

MR. T. M. HEALY

Was the war only "over" for the purposes of the election?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!