HC Deb 30 March 1855 vol 137 c1404
MR. G. DUNDAS

said, that he desired to preface the question of which he had given notice by reading an extract from a letter received yesterday from a relative at Constantinople, for whose accuracy he could vouch. [Cries of "Order."] The subject was of extreme importance, and he would not occupy the time of the House for more than a minute. The extract was to this effect— We left Balaklava a few days ago, with 330 sick on board. While we had the sick on board a steamer came in, with carcases of mutton and vegetables, and lay alongside of us. The medical officer requested I would apply for fresh provisions for the sick. Will you believe it? I had to go through so many forms that it was twenty-four hours before I could get them from the vessel actually touching our side, and, the weather having been unusually sultry from sirocco blowing, most of the meat was not fit for use. A second application took as much longer time, for another supply; and by the time the application was in proper order the meat had been landed and buried. This statement sufficiently showed the importance of the inquiry he now addressed to the hon. Gentleman the Under Secretary at War, namely, if directions had been sent by the Government to the proper authorities in the Crimea and at Scutari to relax the system of check and countercheck, and facilitate the obtaining from the purveyors, Commissariat, and storekeepers, the provisions and necessaries which the sick required?

MR. FREDERICK PEEL

said, of course he had no knowledge of the particular case referred to; but he had no doubt it was the fact that the forms which had been established in times of peace, for the purpose of placing a check on the expenditure of the public money, had been multiplied to an extent which now interfered with the more essential object of securing the prompt supply of what was required. Instructions had, however, been issued by the Government that in matters such as the hon. Member referred to, all unnecessary forms should be dispensed with.

MR. SIDNEY HERBERT

said, that he had sent out such instructions more than a year ago, particularly as regarded the hospitals at Scutari and Constantinople.