HC Deb 21 March 1901 vol 91 cc696-7
MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state the name of the officer in South Africa who ordered military stores to be concentrated at Ladysmith; whether he was acting on instructions from home or on his own responsibility, and at what date was the concentration of such stores commenced.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guild-ford

No, Sir, I cannot, within the limits of a reply to a question, adjust the responsibility as to the concentration of stores at Ladysmith between officers at home and on the spot.

MR. LAMBERT

Will this question come within the purview of the inquiry on the war?

MR. BRODRICK

No terms of reference have yet been suggested, but if an inquiry takes place this point, among many others, might come within it.

MR. M'KENNA (Monmouthshire, N.)

Did the right hon. Gentleman say "if" or "when" the inquiry takes place?

MR. BRODRICK

Any inquiry on that subject should be addressed to my right hon. friend the First Lord of the Treasury.