HC Deb 14 December 1900 vol 88 cc823-4
MR. YERBURGH (Chester)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state who is responsible for advising the Secretary of State as to the Military requirements of a probable campaign; and, whether such advice is voluntarily tendered, or does it await inquiry by the Secretary of State.

The following questions on the same subject were also asked:—

COLONEL WELBY (Taunton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, by the memorandum showing the duties of the principal officers of the War Office, dated 7th March, 1899, the Secretary of State or the Commander-in-Chief is held responsible for the Military efficiency and preparedness for war of our Military forces.

COLONEL WELBY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Commander-in-Chief, who is charged with the collection and compilation of military information, and has in his department the Director of Military Intelligence, who deals with the collection and distribution of information relating to the military geography, resources, and armed forces of foreign countries and of the British Colonies and possessions, was responsible for an efficient military survey of those parts of the frontiers of Natal and Cape Colony presumably likely to become a theatre of war in case of invasion by the Transvaal or Orange Free State; or whether the Secretary of State for War was responsible for the authorising and making of that survey.

COLONEL WELBY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Adjutant-General who is charged with the military education and training of the officers, warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Regular and Reserve forces and Militia of the United Kingdom was responsible to the Secretary of State for War, or to the Commander-in-Chief, that the military training and education of those who sailed from this country for the South African war were efficient.

* MR. BRODRICK

No change has taken place in the responsibility of the Secretary of State for War to Parliament for the military efficiency and preparedness for war of our military forces. The Commander-in-Chief is the chief military adviser of the Secretary of State, and has the general supervision of all military departments of the War Office. All orders to the Army, whatever department they affect, are submitted to and signed by him. It is the duty of the Commander-in-Chief to tender any advice which he thinks necessary for the proper conduct of a campaign.

Colonel WELBY

Was the Commander-in-Chief or the Secretary of State responsible for the survey referred to in my second question?

* MR. BRODRICK

That point is covered by the answer I have given.

COLONEL WELBY

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain in what way?

* MR. BRODRICK

I am responsible to Parliament, and the Commander-in-Chief is responsible for the Army. My hon. and gallant friend must adjust any responsibility which he thinks may result with one or the other according to this statement.

COLONEL WELBY

But who was responsible for the military surveying of Natal and Cape Colony? Am I to take it it was the Secretary for War?

* MR. BRODRICK

The responsibility to Parliament rests with the Secretary for War, and I shall not endeavour to divest myself of any portion of it.