MR. CHAPLAINI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, what was the date of the appointment of the Yeomanry Committee; who were its members; how, when, and by whom was the authority given to the Yeomanry Committee to purchase remounts; and to whom was the purchase of the remounts entrusted in the first instance.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Imperial Yeomanry were formed by Royal Warrant on December 24th, 1899. The Secretary of State, by an Army Order of January 4th,1900, entrusted to a Committee, called the Imperial Yeomanry Committee, the administration of the corps, and their duties were further defined by an Army Order of February 1st, 1900. The members of 519 the Committee were:—Colonel Lucas, Lieutenant-Colonel Beckett, M. P., Colonel Viscount Valentia, M. P., Colonel St. Quintin, Colonel the Earl of Lonsdale, Captain Bagot, and Colonel Lord Harris. The Imperial Yeomanry records show that they originally entrusted the Remount Department to the charge of the Earl of Lonsdale and Colonel St. Quintin, but they appear to have subsequently devolved the duty on Colonel St. Quintin alone. Colonel St. Quintin went to Africa towards the end of March, 1900, when Lord Lonsdale again assumed charge. The date on which the Committee received formal authority to purchase remounts was February 1st, the order covering retrospectively any orders previously given.
§ Captain NORTON (Newington, W.)Were not the Committee distinctly under the orders of the Quartermaster-General's Department?
§ Mr. BRODRICKNo, sir; not under the orders. I understand they were given certain powers which they were entitled to exercise.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONAnd, therefore, the Quartermaster-General's Department is responsible?
§ * MR. BLAKE (Longford, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman lay these two Army Orders on the Table of the House?
§ MR. BRODRICKThey were published some time ago, but there is no objection to laying them on the Table.