HC Deb 11 May 1900 vol 82 cc1363-4
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the War Office can give any explanation of the list of casualties sustained in the first day's fighting at Paardeburg, when the casualties were in excess of the casualties in any single day's fighting since the war began; and who was the officer who, in the absence of Lord Roberts, was responsible for the military tactics which entailed such loss of life.

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

The hon. Member's first question admits of no answer other than that the casualties were incurred and reported. In reply to the second, I have to say that I am not prepared to admit the assumption that the losses were unnecessary.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Were the losses not heavier than on any other day of the campaign?

[No answer was given.]