§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can give a list of the Government property lent by the War Office for the late Naval and Military Exhibitions in Manchester and Leeds, and state what steps have been taken to recover the 4.6-inch gun and maxim which were in the hands of the bailiff's, and with what result; and will he also state what inquiry, if any, was made into the status of the proprietors of the United Service Gazette, to whom the property was lent, and who they are; did the War Office authorities specify the proportion of the proceeds to be handed over to military charities; what regimental bands were permitted to perform at the Exhibition, and how many of these have been paid; and did the musical director of Kneller Hall receive official sanction to give his services to this exhibition.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe list of Government property lent by the War Office to these exhibitions is too long to read out, but I can give the hon. Member a copy if he likes. No guns, however, were lent by the War Office. As regards the status of the proprietors of the United Service Gazette there appeared to be no reason for doubting the bonâ fides of a respectable paper of long standing, and no inquiries were made. No fixed proportion of profits was stipulated for. It is not known at the War Office how many regimental bands were allowed to compete at the Exhibition, as this would be left to the discretion of the general officers commanding the districts concerned, nor is it known which, if any, received payment. The notification that the Director of Music of Kneller Hall would adjudicate in the band competition received official sanction.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONWho are the proprietors of the United Service Gazette?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot say.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONI shall put the Question again, as it is all important.