§ MR. OSBORNEI wish, Sir, to put a Question to the Secretary of State for War respecting a statement which appears in the evening papers. It is stated that on Wednesday last, during the great heat of that tropical day, a flying column was sent out from Aldershot, that nine of the men forming part of it experienced sunstrokes, and that eighty-seven of the men had to be sent to hospital. I want to know, Whether there is any truth in that report, and if there is, whether the right hon. Gentleman has taken any steps—which he usually does in the case of flagrant outrages of this sort—to prevent troops being sent out in flying columns in the heat of the day?
MR. BUXTONBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers this Question, I wish to say that I have been informed that when the flying column arrived at Sandhurst there was no provision whatever to give them shelter from the intense heat of the sun. A friend of mine was present, and he states that the troops were completely exhausted when they marched on to the ground at Sandhurst, and that there was no shelter or shade of any sort provided for them; there were no tents, nor were they taken into a neighbouring wood where shade might have been obtained.
§ SIR JOHN PAKINGTONSir, I have had no information on the subject to which the hon. Gentleman refers. The House, therefore, will not expect me to answer the Question now. If the hon. Member will repeat it to-morrow, I shall by that time be adequately informed of the circumstances, and will give him an answer.