HC Deb 23 January 1902 vol 101 c652
MR. JAMES O'KELLY (Roscommon, N)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, whether he can state the total cost of the South African War up to 31st December, 1901; how much of the amount has been contributed by each of the following Colonies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Cape Colony; and what has been the amount of Ireland's contribution to the war expenditure up to the same date.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.

No, Sir, these figures cannot be given, even if it were desirable to give them.

MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)

Is the reason that in money the Colonies contributed practically nothing?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No, it is not.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

They would not do it.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)

On this question, may I ask the Secretary for War whether he did not promise last session that these figures should be given?

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

Perhaps the hon. Member will refer me to the promise. I have no recollection of promising that the figures asked for in this particular Question should be given.