DR. CAMERONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether Lord Wolseley is correctly stated by the "Times" of May 19th to have given evidence before the Army Medical Commission, to the effect that "all the flour sent out from England for the purpose of making bread for the Egyptian Army was unfit to make broad with," "that the Commissariat never supplied any good bread during the whole campaign," and "that the bread supplied by the Commissariat to the hospital at Ismailia was unfit for human food;" and, whether the late Commissary General at head quarters is correct in his statement, in a letter in the "Times" of 23rd May, that his department had absolutely nothing to do with the purchase of the flour sent out, and was not consulted respecting it; and, if so, what official is responsible for the purchase of the flour in question?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe complete Report and Evidence has, I believe, been distributed to-day. The hon. Member will find this subject fully discussed in the Report; and when he has had the opportunity of comparing the statements quoted in the Question with those in explanation, he will be able to judge whether it is necessary to put further Questions upon it. At all events, I would prefer to postpone any full answer to the part of the Question referring to statements made in The Times until hon. Members have had an opportunity of considering the Report. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Commissary General at head- 1096 quarters is an officer charged with the personnel and discipline of the Commissariat Department. Supplies of provisions are made on the responsibility of the Director of Supplies, a full Memorandum by whom will be found in the Report.