HC Deb 24 May 1901 vol 94 cc1109-10
MR. LABOUCHERE () Northampton

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for † See Debates [Fourth Series], Vol. xcii., page 1428. War why, in the Return of the farms burnt or otherwise destroyed in South Africa by the British forces, the reason is not given for the destruction of the house of General De Wet; and whether he will state what that reason was.

MR. BRODRICK

I must refer the hon. Member to a reply I gave to a similar question put by the hon. Member for South Donegal on the 9th instant, and to the supplementary information I gave at the same time.‡

MR. DILLON

But you have promised it on two or three different occasions.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! It is quite irregular thus to refer to answers to previous questions.

MR. DILLON

But I have received a distinct promise on two separate occasions that the information shall be given. Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman retracts that promise?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The question on the Paper has been fully answered.

MR. DILLON

I say it has not been answered at all.

MR. SPEAKER

Yes; the right hon. Gentleman says he is not in a position to add anything to the information previously given.

MR. DILLON

I shall repeat the question.

AN HON. MEMBER

Did the Boers burn any farms at all?