HC Deb 05 July 1905 vol 148 cc1123-4
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether circumstances connected with sales and purchases of stores in South Africa, and the liability of officers to Court-martial, and other matters in relation thereto, were submitted in addition to Courts-martial proceedings to the Acting Deputy Judge Advocate-General for advice; and, if so, on how many occasions has he been recurred to for advice since his appointment in March, 1904, on such matters; and whether he has yet given an opinion on; the Report of Sir William Butler's Committee.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)

The Deputy Judge Advocate-General has not given his advice in this connection.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Has he declined to give an answer?

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

No, Sir. He has given no opinion on the Report of, or evidence before, Sir William Butler's Committee.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

And meanwhile is this high judicial potentate practising as a stuff gownsman at the outside bar?

[No Answer was returned.]