§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary for India a Question of which I have given private notice, viz., whether on Saturday last at a public banquet he refused to respond to the toast of "His Majesty's Forces"; whether this was because of his disagreement with the military policy of the Government; and, if so, whether he intends to take any further steps in the matter.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordI really do not know on what statement the hon. Member has founded his Question; but, whatever it was, the inference which he has drawn is incorrect. What occurred was this: The officer who was expected to reply to the toast was not present, and I was suddenly asked to respond, when I pointed out that, not being Secretary of State for War, probably I was not so well qualified to respond as another gentleman present, who had served his country in the South African War.