MR. CARINGTONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, taking into consideration the complaints made against the Medical Department in Egypt, he will consent to the institution of some tribunal to inquire into the alleged break down of the system of Medical Service lately introduced into the Army, other than a War Office Committee presided over by the Under Secretary of State for War; whether he will consent to the appointment either of a Committee of this House, or of a Royal Commission, to inquire into and report upon the working and results of the new system; and, further, if there is any truth in the report that Deputy Surgeon General Hanbury has demanded a Court of Inquiry to investigate the charges made against the Medical Department during the recent operations in Egypt?
§ MR. CHILDERSI have already answered the first two Questions of my hon. and gallant Friend in replying to the hon. Member for Portarlington (Mr. Fitz-Patrick) on Friday. I certainly shall not advise the appointment of a Committee of this House, or a Royal Commission, to deal with a Departmental question, for action upon which, as Secretary of State, I am responsible. The Committee which I have appointed is a strong one, calculated to act fairly to all concerned. There are other parties concerned than those on whose behalf the Question is asked. In reply to the third Question, I have to state that Surgeon General Hanbury has not asked for a Court of Inquiry, but has expressed a wish that the fullest investigation of the complaints made against his officers 380 by certain correspondents may take place. Of course, the Committee will have the advantage of the evidence of these gentlemen.