HC Deb 15 March 1901 vol 91 cc60-1
MR. ALLEN (Gloucestershire, Stroud)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is willing to publish the I report sent by General Colvile to the Commander-in-Chief on the battle of Paardeberg, as he did the corresponding report of General Kelly-Kenny.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

No report was received by Lord Roberts from General Colvile, who held only a divisional command at Paardeberg. By the King's Regulations reports describing the action taken by their respective commands are furnished to the senior officer present by officers commanding divisions or brigades, and by such other officers as he may specially call upon: these reports do not accompany the despatch, the senior officer being alone responsible for rendering to the Secretary of State for War an account of the operations. Under these circumstances this report cannot be laid.

MR. ALLEN

Do I understand that no such report was sent to the Com-mander-in Chief?

MR. BRODRICK

NO, Sir; certainly no report was sent to the Commander-in-Chief. A report was sent to General Kelly-Kenny. It was not forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief.