§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state the names of the persons who were given contracts by the War Office in Victoria, Queensland, Argentina, and the United States respectively, together with the amount in each case agreed to be paid per horse; whether the Mr. Weil alluded to in the despatch from the General Officer commanding lines of communication to the Secretary of State for War, dated 3rd January, 1900, which states that Weil has contracted, and that his horses are not at all good, is the same gentleman who is connected with the Bergl meat contract; whether Mr. Maurice Houlder was at any time since the commencement of the South African War in the employment of the Remount Department; and, if so, what were his functions; and whether this gentleman is connected with Houlder Brothers.
LORD STANLEYIn regard to the first paragraph, very few horses were purchased by contract in the countries mentioned, the names of the contractors have not been reported, and the prices are confidential. As regards the second paragraph, it is believed that Mr. Weil is the person referred to. As regards the third paragraph, Mr. Maurice Houlder has never been in the employ of the Remount Department; he is believed to be connected with the firm of Houlder Brothers.
§ MR. M'KENNAHad Messrs. Houlder in their employ a nephew of General Truman?