§ SIR CHARLES CAMERON (Glasgow, Bridgeton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statement of Mr. Julius Weil, of Messrs. Julius Weil and Co., Government contractors, to the effect that in addition to executing an order given by Lord Edward Cecil for Colonel Hore's forces, numbering some 550 men and 500 horses, he had forwarded to Mafeking very large stocks on his own initiative and at his own risk, knowing that in the event of hostilities large supplies would be required by the population of that town, numbering in all some 10,000 persons; and whether he will inquire into the facts of the case; and, if they be found as stated, whether the Secretary of State will consider the propriety of suitably recognising the foresight of the contractor who thus, acting on his own initiative, rendered possible the protracted defence of Mafeking.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe answer to the first question is in the affirmative. I hope that it will before long be possible to obtain from the gallant officer in command at Mafeking a full report of the circumstances attending the provisioning of that town.