HC Deb 29 March 1900 vol 81 cc684-5
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Lord Methuen has sent home any communication with reference to the circumstances under which he ordered Colonel Gough to retire from the front; whether Colonel Gough was ordered home by Lord Methuen because he refused to obey an order of Lord Methuen's; and, will the promised inquiry into Colonel * See page 173 of this volume. Gough's conduct embrace an inquiry into Lord Methuen's conduct.

MR. WYNDHAM

Pending the inquiry which is to be held into Colonel Gough's case it should not, I think, be discussed by way of question and answer in this House.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Does the hon. Gentleman decline to say whether Colonel Gough disobeyed orders or not?

MR. WYNDHAM

An inquiry will be held in this case, and it would be most improper, in my opinion, to discuss any of the matters, essential or subsidiary, which are likely to come before the tribunal.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Will Lord Methuen's conduct form a subject of inquiry?

[No reply was given.]