HC Deb 10 February 1902 vol 102 cc843-4
MR. M'KENNA

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether, in view of the gain to Government from public criticism in Parliament and the need for authentic information on which such criticism maybe based, he will publish the Reports on the working of the remount system in South Africa, the Reports on the working of the transport system, and the particulars of the contracts for the supply of provisions and forage for the use of the Army in South Africa.

MR. BRODRICK

I am most anxious to give the House all possible information. I have already undertaken to publish Reports on the remount system in South Africa, and I will see what Reports can be published on the working of the transport system. As regards the contracts for supply of provisions and forage, they are exceedingly numerous, and the preparation of them would involve very great labour on an already heavily burdened Department.

MR. M'KENNA

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish the Report before the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill with the Supplementary Estimates?

MR. BRODRICK

I will endeavour to do so, but I cannot be certain.