HC Deb 18 May 1900 vol 83 c672

Oil the Motion for Adjournment,

MR. HEDDEEWICK

I would like to ask the Leader of the House if he has any news to communicate to the House with reference to the relief of Mafeking.

MR. A.J. BALFOUE

No, Sir; the only news I have received is through the courtesy of the press, and it consists of Renter telegrams which profess to give official information through Lorenzo Marques to the effect that Mafeking has been relieved. We have no official information to that effect at the War Office, nor could we have it so soon as it would arrive by other channels of information, and therefore the fact that we have not got it neither proves nor disproves the truth of the information. Therefore I think it would be premature to make any announcement; but we hope and trust and have good reason to think it may be true.

Adjourned at five minutes after Twelve of the clock.