§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the Imperial authorities have presented a bill for several thousands of pounds to the Mayor of Ladysmith for food for the inhabitants during the siege; and whether payment is to be insisted upon.
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverI have no information on the matter.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the hon. Gentleman obtain the information?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMI do not think so. This is a matter well within the competence of the commanding officers in South Africa. It seems to me, on the face of it, to be a mere question of bookkeeping. Clearly an officer cannot issue stores to civilians without entering the fact. The whole question of indemnity is a very large one, and will, I am sure, be considered in a generous spirit later on.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI will put down another question later.