HC Deb 29 June 1900 vol 85 cc69-70
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the War Office authorities have any and, if so, what explanation to offer of the fact that the news of the defeat and capture of the 4th battalion of the Derbyshire Regiment at Roodevaal on the 7th June was known in Derby on the evening of Sunday, 10th June, but was not known in London till the evening of 11th June.

*MR. WYNDHAM

No, Sir. Rumours are frequently current in advance of an official telegram, and this seems to have been a case of the kind.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is it not, the fact that the news was known in Derby on Sunday, and at the Stock Exchange on Monday before the War Office published it?

*MR. WYNDHAM

The information reached the War Office late on Sunday, but we had to verify certain matters before we published it.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

But—

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! I must remind the hon. Member that he asked for an explanation and the hon. Gentleman replied that he had none. That is an answer to the question.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

And a most unsatisfactory one, Sir.