§ 25 Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Secretary for War (1) from what funds the original outlay on the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg was drawn; and what funds from time to time were drawn on for the upkeep of this undertaking; (2) whether the accounts of the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg were audited from time to time; and, if so, by whom; and (3) what credit balances were shown in the two last balance sheets of the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg sent home to the Army Council shortly before the final orders for closing down were given by the War Office?
§ 28 Sir REGINALD POLE-CAREWalso asked (1) what was the extent in acres of the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg, Cape Colony, when it was purchased; what was the purchase price; and out of what funds was the purchase money paid; (2) the names of the various managers of the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg, Cape Colony; by whom they were appointed; and the date of such appointments; and (3) whether any part of the Imperial Government farm at Middleburg, Cape Colony, was at any time let by the Army Council to any private person or syndicate; and, if so, will he give the dates and names of the lessees?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)The so-called Imperial Government farm at Middleburg consisted of about 100 acres, forming part of about 25,000 acres bought in 1903 out of Military Works Loan Funds, for cantonments and training ground for troops. The average price of the whole was about £2 per acre. No separate valuation of the 100 acres was made. The farming venture was in the nature of a garrison institution, administered by a board of officers on behalf of the troops, and not as a public service. Working capital was obtained by loans from the South African Garrison Institutes and other non-public funds, for which loans the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Africa, was personally responsible until they were repaid. Beyond this, expenditure was met out of the earnings of the farm by sale of produce, etc. Certain initial expenditure out of public funds was repaid to the public. The accounts of the farm were audited periodically by officers of the Army Accounts Department, acting 193 in their capacity as members of the garrison skilled in such matters, and not as representatives of the Accounting Officer of the War Department. The last two balance sheets sent to the War Office before the final closing were for 31st December, 1908, and for 31st March, 1909, and showed credit balances of £69 and £276, respectively. The managers of the farm were Mr. C. Allan, appointed at the start in 1903, and Lieutenant P. Wilson, appointed in June, 1908. Both appointments were made by the board of officers administering the farm. No part of the farm was at any time let by the Army Council to any private person or syndicate, but I see from the records in the War Office that at one time Colonel Jeffreys, R.E., rented a small paddock from the farm management for £5.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEWill the hon. Gentleman say who guaranteed the loans made in the first instance, and why were the balance sheets sent to the Army Council if it was not a public matter?
§ Mr. BAKERPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will give notice of this question. These matters happened some years ago, and I have no personal knowledge of them.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEThe hon. Member answered a number of questions together and he will see I asked quite clearly who found the money in the first place. The loans must have been guaranteed?
§ Mr. BAKERI think every question has been answered; if any further question is put down it certainly will be replied to.
§ Sir R. POLE-CAREWDo I understand that the farm was closed down by order of the Army Council?
§ Mr. BAKERI think that is correct. Still, if the hon. and gallant Member will put the question down it will be answered. As these things happened years ago, I cannot reply from personal knowledge.