§ Mr. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there has been any revocation of the policy of placing the women and children confined in the concentration camps in South Africa, whose husbands and fathers are in the field, on reduced rations; or is that policy still being carried out.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question will he say whether it is not a fact that the great majority of the women and children now concentrated in camps have gone there by their own desire to obtain protection from natives and Boer marauders?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordI think that the great majority of the women and children have gone into the camps by their own desire. Their motives I am not responsible for. I have not yet received full information, but Lord Kitchener has informed me that a sufficient allowance is being given to all families in camp, and that they are satisfied and comfortable.