HC Deb 17 May 1900 vol 83 cc391-2
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, inasmuch as Lord Roberts had not in person assumed the direct command on the first day of the fighting at Paardeberg, a report of the operations on that day has been, in accordance with practice, made to him by Lord Kitchener the officer in actual command; and whether Lord Roberts has forwarded Lord Kitchener's report with a covering despatch expressing his own opinion of the manner in which these operations have been carried out; and, if not, when may Lord Roberts's Paardeberg despatches be expected to reach the War Office. I beg also to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the despatches relating to the loss of the convoy at Koorn Spruit last March have yet reached the War Office.

* MR. WYNDHAM

Sir, I am not prepared to anticipate by way of question and answer any exercise which the Secretary of State may see fit to make of his discretion to publish despatches and reports on military operations.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will at least tell me whether the despatches have arrived or not?

* MR. WYNDHAM

That question is, I think, covered by the reply I have given.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I congratulate the War Office.