MR. BRYN ROBERTSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether British soldiers, who are not commanding officers, and who are captured by the enemy, are permitted to give their parole or to take an oath not to take any further part in the war; and whether, if such parole is given or oath taken by a soldier, he is, on being liberated by the Boers, permitted by our military authorities to observe parole or oath.
§ MR. BRODRICKAccording to custom of war, officers other than commanding officers are not permitted to give parole either for themselves or their men, and soldiers are not allowed to do so. A State has no power to force its subjects to act contrary to parole.
MR. BRYN ROBERTSMay I ask whether, if parole is given or oath taken by a soldier, he is, on being liberated by the Boers, permitted by our military authorities to observe his parole or oath.
§ [No answer was returned.]