§ 9. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to announce that General Elliot has been reinstated in his former command or in some other command of the same nature?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)Owing to the small number of vacancies and to the large number of officers at present unemployed. I regret that it has riot yet been possible to employ Brigadier-General Elliot.
§ Mr. HOUSTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that General Elliot is a very efficient and fearless officer, and can he explain why he has been treated in such a harsh manner by the War Office?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI hope the House will not regard the treatment of General Elliot by the War Office as harsh—
§ Mr. HOUSTONUnjust!
§ Mr. MACPHERSONWe have done our level best, but there are a great many unemployed officers at the present moment. With regard to the first part of the supplementary question I do regard him as a very excellent officer.