§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEasked whether it is intended that Field-Marshal Viscount Kitchener shall now take up his duties as High Commissioner in the Mediterranean, and, if so, upon what date; whether he will establish his headquarters at Malta; and what arrangements have been made for the effective discharge of the duties of his high office since his appointment in the autumn of last year?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt is proposed that Lord Kitchener should take up the duties of Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief in the Mediterranean with effect from or shortly after his arrival in this country, his headquarters in that capacity being at Malta. He has not yet been appointed to the office in question, and since its vacation by His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught the duties have been temporarily performed by General Sir F. Forestier-Walker, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEArising out of that reply, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman why it was considered necessary by the Government to make this appointment in such haste in the autumn of last year when it was not intended that the duties should be taken up until at least six months later?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt is usual to fill up these appointments something like six months before they actually become vacant, following the analogy of the Admiralty. The reason is we want time for making the arrangements, and it is a desirable thing that the appointment should be announced beforehand.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether, as a matter of fact, during this period Sir F. Forestier-Walker has been occupying the office, and has carried out the duties of inspecting the troops in South Africa?
§ Mr. HALDANENo, there has been no occasion for him to do so. Lord Methuen has been there.
§ Mr. GIBSON BOWLESWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the duties cannot be continued to be carried out by Sir F. Forestier-Walker without calling upon so eminent a general as Lord Kitchener to take them up?
§ Mr. HALDANEIt depends upon what the duties are. The hon. Member has not yet heard what those duties are, but in due course I shall be able to state what they are.
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that he stated in this House last autumn that the duties were to include the inspection of troops in South Africa? Is it now intended to abandon that part of the duties?
§ Mr. HALDANENo, I never suggested anything of the kind. The duties will include the inspection of troops in South Africa, and there will be other duties which I shall be prepared to discuss at the proper moment.