MR. GIBSON BOWLES () Lynn RegisI beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, can he explain why the despatches describing the operations of the Naval Brigade at the battles of Graspan and Colenso have not yet been published, although the despatches describing the operations of the military forces in those 61 battles were published in the London Gazette of the 26th January last; is the delay due to the Admiralty, to the War Office, or to the action, or forbearance from action, of the generals in the field; will he take steps to secure the immediate publication of these despatches; and will he also take steps to secure that in future the despatches describing the operations of the Naval Brigade are published at the same time as those describing the operations of the military forces on the same occasions.
§ *THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. MACARTNEY, Antrim, S.) (for Mr. GOSCHEN)In my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for the Eastern Division of Berkshire, I stated that I was making certain inquiries by telegraph. As no definite answer has been received I will telegraph again.
§ *MR. MACARTNEYI have given the answer have been instructed to give.