§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Army in South Africa has undertaken to pay to 206 the municipality of Standerton for water a sum of not less than £1,460 a year for twenty years; whether this obligation would remain, under the contract, in case the garrison were reduced or altogether withdrawn before 1924; whether the daily requirements of the troops at Standerton are already below the fixed contract minimum of 80,000 gallons; whether this contract was approved by the War Office before completion; and, if not, on whose authority was it signed.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) This Question deals with matter arising from the Report of the Controller and Auditor-General on the accounts for 1905–6. As these matters will come before the Public Accounts Committee I can hardly discuss them at the present time.