HC Deb 22 July 1902 vol 111 cc902-4
*SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any decision has yet been taken as to a prosecution in the Irish Remounts case.

The following Question also appeared on the Paper—

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state whether Colonel St. Quentin is the Member of the Imperial Yoemanry Committee, whose duty it was to inspect the remounts for the South African War, who made the arrangement with Major Studdert for the purchase by him of horses in Ireland for the South African War; and will he say why Colonel St. Quentin was not called as a witness at the trial in Dublin of the Secretary of State for War v. Studdert and others.

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

This question is being considered by the Law Officers of the Crown. Pending the receipt of their advice, I cannot answer the Questions addressed to me by the hon. Member for South Donegal.

MR. SWIFT MACNE1LL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he was aware of the terms under which the action of the Secretary of State for War v. Studdert, for fraudulent breach of contract as agent and trustee, was compromised by the Solicitor General for Ireland, as counsel for the War Office, and did he personally assent thereto; and if so, will he state the grounds on which his assent was based.

MR. BRODRICK

The Solicitor-General had full power to take what course he thought proper in this case. He took the course he did, and has not in any way bound the Government as to further proceedings.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question. Did he personally assent to this compromise?

MR. BRODRICK

I am not prepared to go further into the matter. Full power was given to the Solicitor General to act on behalf of the War Office.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Will the right hon. Gentleman now kindly make the statement which he promised on Thursday last that he would make in reference to this transaction?

MR. BRODRICK

I have given the hon. Member all the information it is in my power to give.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

That is not the "full statement" you promised.

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Why does not the right hon. Gentleman keep his promise?