§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he can now give particulars of the affair in the Ermelo district on the 14th December, when two companies of the mounted infantry were searching farms. Will he state how many officers and men were killed and wounded on this occasion, and how many were taken prisoners, and in what the work of searching farms, in which, according to Lord Kitchener's despatch of the 21st December, these companies were engaged when they came in contact with the Boer forces, consists. And, can he explain why the War Office has not put the public in possession of full particulars of this incident, including the number of officers and men taken prisoners,
§ MR. BRODRICKAll information concerning this affair that has reached the War Office has been already published. The casualties, which were published on the 24th December, were as follows:— 301
In reference to the prisoners, Lord Kitchener telegraphs that it is difficult to say precisely, as prisoners are quickly released, and many men were only in the hands of the enemy for a few minutes; but 137 rifles were missing, so that may be taken as a guide.
Officers, killed 2 Officers, wounded 3 Men, killed 10 Men, wounded 17