DR. CAMERONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the hospital at Troodos, in Cyprus, having been given up with the consent of the Principal Medical Officer of the British Army in Egypt on or before 24th August, and Sir Garnet Wolseley having on 30th August stopped the "Carthage" with 196 sick on beard for Cyprus, the Principal Medical Officer, after communication with Cyprus on 3rd September, wrote to the Chief of the Staff that it seemed a great pity to disturb the hospital arrangements made elsewhere than at Troodos, in Cyprus; whether, on 4th September, he received from the Chief of the Staff the reply, "Sick can be sent to Cyprus;" whether, on 9th September, 72 sick were sent to Cyprus; whether, on 14th September, 300 more were ordered to sail for Cyprus; whether he had, before 24th August, ordered that Cyprus should not be used as a hospital until October; whether the Principal Medical Officer stated before Lord Morley's Commission that, up to the 19th of January, he had never heard of this decision; if he would state whose duty it was to inform the Principal Medical Officer of the decision of the Secretary of State; and, whether the Director General of the Medical Department at home was ever informed of it? The hon. Member also asked, Whether, when Ismailia was seized and the plan of campaign developed in Egypt, the Principal Medical Officer 28 and the Principal Commissariat Officer of the Army were informed of so much of the General's plan as was necessary to enable them to arrange for the efficiency of their respective departments under the altered conditions; and, if so, at what date was the seizure of Ismailia as a base sanctioned by the War Office, and at what date were these officers respectively informed of the intention to seize it?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI must ask the hon. Member to bear in mind that the Army in Egypt was commanded by the General Officer on the spot, and not by the Secretary of State at home. Nearly all the points in this long Question relate to local details in connection with the conduct of the Campaign in Egypt. I have no information on these points beyond that contained in the Evidence given before Lord Morley's Committee, which is before the House. With regard to the last part of the hon. Member's Question, I will read the Minute of Sir John Adye, the Chief of the Staff, approved by the Secretary of State, which contains the only thing in the nature of an order given on the subject by the War Office prior to the despatch of the Expedition. As I have before stated, any subsequent orders varying this decision would be given by the Commander-in-Chief of the Expedition. The Minute is as follows:—
I have seen the Director General of the Army Medical Department and the Principal Medical Officer of the Force. They concur that, looking at the season of the year, and that the weather will be cool towards the end of September, Troodos may be given up, and a hospital established at Polymedia, near the place of disembarkation.(Signed) JOHN ADYE, August 3, 1882.This answer applies also to the hon. Member's last Question. The determination of the base of operations in Egypt was wholly a matter for the determination of the General commanding the Force; and it was for that officer, acting through the Chief of the Staff, to convey to the Heads of Departments under him such instructions as he might think necessary and desirable.
DR. CAMERONsaid, that on Lord Wolseley's Annuity Bill he should oppose any grant unless full explanation were offered regarding the arrangements made at head - quarters affecting the Medical Department. At present un- 29 merited blame seemed to be thrown upon that Department.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked whether the hospital at Cyprus was given up on the motion of Sir Garnet Wolseley, or by instructions from the Secretary of State?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he could not go much into detail; but the hospital at Cyprus was not given up until the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, when the Campaign was virtually at an end, and the hospital at Cyprus would not be required.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLasked, if it was the case that, owing to the fact of the military authorities at home, in conjunction with Sir Garnet Wolseley, having decided that the base hospital should be at Cyprus, there was no base hospital at Ismailia when the troops were landed?
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFalso asked, whether it was decided to give up the hospital at Cyprus on the 3rd August; and whether troops were embarked on the 30th August for Cyprus, and then stopped by Sir Garnet Wolseley?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, no final determination with reference to a general hospital was arrived at until after the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. The decision come to on the 3rd of August was that an hospital at Troodos would not be necessary.