§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Sir William MacCormac, who was last week the guest in Dublin of Professor Cunningham, and Dr. Jameson, the Director General of the Army Medical Department, or either of them, were consulted with reference to the appointment of Professor Cunningham as a member of the South African Commission to inquire into the charges brought against the administration of the Army Medical Department, and whether there was any communication with these gentlemen directly or indirectly with reference to Professor Cunningham's appointment.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.I think that the hon. Member will see that this is a question which ought not to be put, and, if put, one which ought not to be answered.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLAm I to conclude that the answer to the question is in the affirmative, and that he is an agent of the Army Medical Department?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, Sir; the hon. Member must only conclude that the question is one which ought not to be put.
§ MR. BURDETT-COUTTS (Westminster)Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to when he will announce the new constitution of the committee of inquiry?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI hope to be able to give the House the information as to the addition of the new names at a very early date; but it is not a matter easy of negotiation, nor is it to be rapidly carried through.