HC Deb 22 April 1902 vol 106 cc925-7
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government will either publish the documents relating to Spion Kop whose immediate publication Sir Charles Warren solicits, or permit Sir Charles Warren to publish the copies thereof in his possession.

MR. CLAUDE LOWTHER (Cumberland, Eskdale)

I also beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, seeing that the despatches reflecting on the military capacity of Sir Charles Warren have been written by an officer whom the Government have judged unfit to command an Army Corps at home, whether they will publish, or allow Sir Charles Warren to publish, his report, although it does not form part of the original despatches, refuting the charges brought against him.

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

I distinctly told both hon. Members yesterday that neither would the documents referred to be published by the Government, nor would permission be given to Sir Charles Warren to publish them.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

For what reasons?

MR. CLAUDE LOWTHER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, on the termination of hostilities, any opportunity will be afforded to Sir Charles Warren of vindicating his character?

MR. BRODRICK

I cannot say what will be done when, on the conclusion of peace, there is an inquiry into the war. But, so far as any newspaper controversy, such as seems to be contemplated by the Question, is concerned, the decision of the Government is absolute.

MR. CLAUDE LOWTHER

I beg to give notice that I will raise the question at the first possible opportunity.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what explanation, if any, can be given for the fact that on his return from South Africa General Buller was praised in an Army Order, notwithstanding the knowledge of the Government of Lord Roberts's opinion on the Spion Kop operations: and can he explain why General Buller was given the command of the First Army Corps, having regard to the promise of the Secretary of State for War that the commanders should be ready and able to take the field.

MR. BRODRICK

I must decline to discuss either of these statements within the limits of a reply to a Question across the House.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

When will the right hon. Gentleman state his reasons?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The right hon. Gentleman says he declines to answer the Question, and he is within his right in doing so.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

With great respect, Sir, may I not ask the right hon. Gentleman, when he says he cannot give me the information by way of an answer across the floor of the House, when he will give this explanation?

MR. BRODRICK

When my action, or the action of the Government, is challenged, I shall be ready to explain at any time.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state what was the conclusion at which Lord Roberts arrived with respect to the adoption of the suggestion made to him of the propriety of the official publication of the full text of General Buller's heliographic message to Sir George White at Ladysmith—a suggestion which Lord Roberts stated, in an official letter dated 8th November, was receiving very careful consideration.

MR. BRODRICK

I have already indicated the opinion of the Government in this matter, and Lord Roberts is entirely in accord with it.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

On what grounds?

MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL (Oldham)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, are we ever going to know the text of the Ladysmith heliogram?

MR. BRODRICK

It is not the intention of the Government to publish isolated telegrams in any case, and, in the opinion of the Government, no case has yet been made out to make it necessary to publish the whole of the correspondence relating to the conduct of operations in Natal.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Was not General Buller dismissed for publishing an isolated telegram?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!