§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state what Department is responsible for the issue of the Return of Buildings Burnt by the Troops in South Africa; and on what authority the statement id made that the houses burnt in 952 Ventersburg, in the Orange Free State, were destroyed because the district was being used as a military base for the enemy's operations; and can he explain why the official reason alleged in the Return mentioned is that the owners were on commando.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe information given in the Return is as received from South Africa. As stated in the Return, the district of Ventersburg (including, of course, the town of Ventersburg) was laid waste because it was being used as a base by the enemy.
§ MR. FLYNNIs not that reason a mere after-thought? Is not the reason given in the Return, "that the owners are on commando"?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo, Sir; the reasons are given under different headings.