§ MR. WHITLEY (Halifax)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War at what date did the War Office become aware of the fact that on October 26th, 1902, the Sales Department in South Africa accepted a tender for surplus stores from a person named Saunders employed in that Department; and what action was taken with regard to the officer who ordered or permitted this irregularity.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThis is one of the questions which will come within the purview of the Royal Commission.
§ MR. WHITLEYsaid the first part of his Question had simply reference to the date.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERsaid this, with the other questions in reference to the subject, would be a matter of inquiry.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLDo the War Office not know whether they are guilty or innocent until they are tried?
§ MR. CHURCHILL (Oldham)Is all information to be withheld from the House simply because these matters are to form the subject of inquiry?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI imagine that all matters which will be at issue before the Commissioners should be left to them.
§ MR. CHURCHILLsaid he could not understand why the House should not have a plain Answer to a simple Question.