§ 62. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked on what grounds the Army Council sent back the balance sheets of the Imperial Gov- 1038 ernment farm at Middelburg for revision in 1908, which showed credit balances of £4,327 and £3,541, respectively?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)The reasons were stated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 17th April last.
§ 63. Sir REGINALD POLE-CAREWasked if the Imperial Government farm at Middelburg was carried on as a private concern, on whose authority was the final balance of £244 handed to the Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society; and at what date was this donation given?
§ Mr. BAKERAs already explained, this farm was carried on as a garrison institution, under the direction and authority of the General Officer Commanding. The General Officer Commanding proposed that the balance should be handed over to the Soldier's and Sailors' Help Society, and the Army Council agreed and directed (on the 15th June, 1910) that £200 of the balance should be handed over forthwith, the residue being retained till 31St May, 1911, against any unforeseen claim. The actual dates of payment are not recorded in the War Office.
§ 64. Sir REGINALD POLE-CAREWasked the dates at which the following loans, borrowed in respect of the Imperial Government farm at Middelburg, were repaid, respectively, namely, £600 from a local garrison fund, £100 from the South African Garrison Institutes, and £952 from public funds?
§ Mr. BAKERThe third sum was repaid in the financial year 1904–5 the other two 1909–10 The precise dates of the refunds are not shown in the accounts rendered to the War Office.
§ Mr. R. GWYNNEWill the hon. Gentleman say how the accounts have been sent in, audited and passed, if those payments are not shown?
§ Mr. BAKERI am perfectly ready to make the matter clear if the hon. Member puts a question in the course of the Debate.