§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when it is intended to make any further publication of despatches describing military operations in South Africa, including those relating to the action at Magersfontein, the advance to Bloemfontein, the siege of Ladysmith, and other operations in Natal.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAfter the controversies which have occurred on this subject there is, of course, some difficulty 623 in deciding when the despatches should be published, but I hope they will be published without very long delay. I will consult with my noble friend the Secretary for War on the subject.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the siege of Ladysmith is a thing long past and gone?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes, that is so.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that the Koorn Spruit disaster took place on 31st March, and will he toll us the hero of that transaction?
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)On behalf of the hon. Member for East Northamptonshire I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when further despatches and documents relating to political affairs in South Africa will be laid before the House; and whether, in any case, such Papers will be in the hands of Members before the Vote for the Colonial Office is taken.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURMy right hon. friend proposes to lay Papers in the course of the next fortnight.