§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it is the universal custom in the Army that a report in favour of an officer in action by a brigadier or other superior officer to a general who was not present at the engagement must be embodied in the latter's dispatch and should be done without comment; if he is aware that this was not done in the case of Major Sir Francis Vane by General Sir John Maxwell; and is he aware of any reason for this universal custom of the Army being departed from in Sir Francis Vane's case other than that he reported the murders of Messrs. Skeffington, Dickson, and M'Intyre when these had not otherwise been reported?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am informed that the custom in the Army is not as stated by the hon. Member.