HC Deb 27 February 1902 vol 103 cc1271-3
SIR ARTHUR HAYTER (Walsall)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Government are to be represented by counsel on the inquiry into the administration of the Remount Department by General Truman; and, if so, can the Secretary of State for War explain under what regulations the Government has power to be represented by counsel before a Military Court, and will he state the name of the counsel to be employed.

MR. BRODRICK

No question arises of representing the Government by counsel before the Inquiry. The Court of Inquiry is to take evidence on oath under an Amendment made in the Army Act last year, and will report its opinion. It was, therefore, considered fair to General Truman to allow him to have a counsel to assist him—the expense of which will be paid from War Office Funds—and this being so, the Commander-in-Chief thinks it desirable that the Court should have the services of a counsel to assist them in sifting the evidence. I am not aware who will represent General Truman. The counsel retained to assist the Court, should they desire such assistance, will be settled in conference with the Treasury Solicitor.

I may take this opportunity of mentioning the composition of the Court of Inquiry:—General Sir R. Biddulph, G. C. B., G. C. M.G. (President); Major-General Sir. F. Maurice, K.C.B., commanding Woolwich District; Major-General T. A. Cooke (late 17th Lancers); Major-General Sir G. de C. Morton, K.C.I.E., C.B., commanding Dublin District; Major-General A. H. Paget, C.V.O. (late Scots Guards).

CAPTAIN NORTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the inquiry will take place, whether the public can attend, and whether the proceedings will be made public?

MR. BRODRICK

The inquiry will begin to-morrow, but the business will be mainly preliminary. The public will certainly not be allowed to attend, and the proceedings will not be made public before they are reported to the Commander-in-Chief.

MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)

Will the inquiry take cognisance of the expenditure of the whole £15,000,000 spent by the Remount Department?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The hon. Member must give notice of that.

MR. PIRIE

Does the right hon. Gentleman adhere to his promise that the evidence shall be published?

MR. BRODICK

When the Report is published the evidence will be published.

MR. PIRIE

Will a shorthand writer be present to take all the evidence?

MR. BRODRICK

I must decline to enter into particulars.

*MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

Will the right hon. Gentleman place the Court above all reproach and suspicion by adding to it a couple of the Irish removable magistrates?