§ MR. D. A. THOMAS () Merthyr TydvilOn behalf of the hon. Member for Merionethshire, I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Officer Commanding in Chief in South Africa has asked the Presidents of the South African Republic and the Orange Free State to allow women and children to leave besieged towns; if not, whether he will suggest that such request be made.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIn the case of Ladysmith Sir George White made the request last November, but General Joubert would only permit them to go to a special camp four miles out. In the case of Mafeking no doubt Colonel Baden-Powell has made the best arrangements which the enemy would admit.