HC Deb 05 July 1900 vol 85 cc618-20
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when he will be able to inform the House as to the constitution and terms of reference of the proposed Committee which is to proceed to South Africa and inquire into the arrangements for treating the sick and wounded.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

We have anxiously considered how Lord Roberts's request for an impartial Commission can be best fulfilled, and we have laid down one or two principles. The first is that it shall be a very small Commission. We propose to appoint a Commission of not more than three persons. We think that the medical profession should be represented on that Commission, and we have consulted the President of the College of Physicians, and asked him to either serve himself or recommend some person who should serve. I am glad to say that Dr. Church has himself consented to serve, and I think that that appointment will meet with universal approval in all quarters. We should have been glad in a similar way to consult the Royal College of Surgeons with a view of having a gentleman appointed from the surgical branch of the profession, but we felt that it would be rather hard, and would put Sir William MacCormac in a difficult position, because he has been made the subject of criticism by, I think, the hon. Gentleman the Member for Westminster and other persons in connection with South Africa, and under those circumstances we did not think it would be fair to him to make the same point of consulting him as of consulting the President of the Royal College of Physicians. We have, however, found a gentleman who, we think, will command universal respect and confidence. It is Professor Daniel John Cunningham, professor of anatomy and physiology in Trinity College, Dublin. He is an authority well known to many gentlemen in this House, and I believe all who do know him—I have not that personal honour—will agree that he is fitted to carry out the difficult and delicate duties which are entrusted to him. The third member of the Commission we think should be a layman and should not belong to the medical profession. We have been fortunate enough to secure the services of a man who I think will command universal confidence in the person of Lord Justice Romer, who has consented to serve. These three gentlemen will form, I believe, as strong, able, and impartial a Commission as could deal with this difficult matter.

SIR. H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

What are the terms of the reference?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

To report on the arrangements for the care and treatment of the sick and wounded during the South African campaign.

MR. LAWSON WALTON (Leeds, S.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has made any preparation for the discharge of Lord Justice Romer's judicial duties?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Before Lord Justice Romer accepted the Lord Chancellor had to be consulted. The responsibility rests with him. I have no doubt that arrangements for that purpose will be made.

*MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)

I desire to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will give this House an opportunity of discussing the terms of reference and the scope and composition of the Commission. I may state that I have the strongest possible objection to one name on that Commission.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will tell me what his objection is. I see no reason whatever for giving the opportunity asked for.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)

Does the reference include the power of inquiry into the organisation of the Army Medical Department?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

That, Sir, is not a question referred to the Commission, but I have no doubt that their finding; will have a bearing on it.

MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Government will appoint an independent Commission to inquire as to the responsibility of the War Office in connection with the treatment of the sick and wounded in South Africa and into the organisation and present condition of the Army Medical Department, such Commission to sit immediately and conduct its inquiry independently of the Commission which it is proposed to send to South Africa.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Two independent and simultaneous Commissions, whose duties would overlap, seem to me to be very objectionable.