HC Deb 07 July 1909 vol 7 cc1200-1
Captain CRAIG

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the grounds on which Mr. W. J. Webber was refused repayment of the moneys expended by him on the direct authority of his commanding officer in South Africa?

Mr. WHITLEY

This matter was, as I stated on Monday, dealt with in the answer I gave to a question of the hon. Member for Norwood on 1st August, 1908, to which I have nothing to add.

Captain CRAIG

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Under-Secretary on Monday last promised me an answer if I put the question down again. Now the hon. Gentleman refers me to a previous reply. I would like to ask whether, in this very serious case, the War Office will not consider the propriety of giving a full answer to the House of Commons? I shall put the question down again.

Captain CRAIG

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish the various telegrams and other documents produced by Mr. W. J. Webber and laid before the Army Council in support of his claim for a refund of moneys expended by him on the direct authority of his commanding officer in South Africa?

Mr. WHITLEY

This matter has been most carefully considered by the Secretary of State, and it would serve no useful purpose to publish the documents on one side of the question.

Captain CRAIG

asked the Secretary of State for War whether reports were called for from Mr. W. J. Webber's various commanding officers in South Africa before the Army Council came to a decision on the case; and, if so, was any one single report detrimental to Mr. Webber either as regards the value of the work he performed or his conduct while he held a commission in His Majesty's Army?

Mr. WHITLEY

Several reports upon Mr. Webber's services while he held a commission have been before the Army Council, and none of them give a favourable account of his usefulness as an officer.

Captain CRAIG

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any position in the Remount or other Department has been offered to Mr. W. J. Webber to compensate him for financial loss sustained by him through carrying out the orders of his superior officer in South Africa?

Mr. WHITLEY

No, Sir. He was, unfortunately, found quite unsuitable to be a Remount officer.