HC Deb 28 November 1882 vol 275 c218
LORD BURGHLEY

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the statement of the Earl of Morley, at the dinner to the Medical Staff upon the 21st November, is well founded, that the Committee now sitting upon the medical arrangements of the Army is not appointed to inquire into the alleged defective condition of the Department during the Egyptian War?

SIR AETHUR HAYTER (for Mr. CHILDERS)

The observations of my noble Friend the Under Secretary of State for War must, I think, have been misinterpreted; and it would be more satisfactory to the House to have the exact terms of the Reference to the Committee now sitting. At the War Office the following are the instructions from the Secretary of State:— It will be advisable that the Committee appointed to inquire into the organizations of Army Hospital Corps should extend the scope of its inquiry into the question of hospital management and nursing in the field, as well as the sea transport of sick and wounded. The recent experience in the Egyptian campaign will be most valuable in such an inquiry. The Committee should ascertain what deficiencies, if any, existed in the field, or other hospitals, or hospital ships in that campaign with a view to future remedy?

LORD BURGHLEY

asked when it was likely that the Report would be laid before the House?

SIR ARTHUR HAYTER

replied that the Report was not yet completed; but that great efforts would be made to complete it by next Session.