§ *MR. LOYD (Berkshire, Abingdon)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in the event of a general public inquiry into the whole course and conduct of the war in South Africa being granted, the Government will place any limit to the cost or duration of such an inquiry; and would such a general public inquiry be in lieu of, or in addition to, the expert military inquiry necessary to ascertain and clearly define the lessons of the war.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.As the hon. Member is aware, we have promised a general inquiry, and the cost of the inquiry and its duration must depend on the discretion and competence 24 of the body to whom inquiry is entrusted. The Government can lay down no limitation as to matter of time. As to the last paragraph in the question, of course the lessons of the war are constantly studied by the military authorities of the War Office.
§ MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (Oldham)May I ask whether, and if so when, the House will be informed of the circumstances attending the surrender at Nicholson's Nek and other places, and of the opinion of the Commander-in-Chief thereon?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat hardly arises out of the question on the Paper.