§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he can state why the explanation of Colonel Long, R.A., with reference to the circumstances under which the guns were lost at the battle of the Tugela, has been withheld from the public, having regard to the fact that Sir Redvers Buller in his despatch or communication with reference to the capture of these guns, while throwing on 'Colonel Long the responsibility of the mishap, stated that he was too ill at the time to give any explanation; and whether, in justice to Colonel Long, who has been censured without having been heard in his defence, Colonel Long's statement, which has been for a considerable time in the possession of the authorities, will be immediately published.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI understand that it is not the practice to publish communications of the kind to which the hon. Member refers.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Sir Redvers Buller said that Colonel Long had no opportunity to give his own account of the transaction? Now that the account has been given, why not publish it in justice to Colonel Long?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURBecause it is not usual to publish documents of that kind. I do not know why the rule should be departed from in this case.