§ SIR FREDERICK MILNERasked the Secretary of State for War, If it is the case that it is the rule of the service that, on the occasion of troops going to India, the privates have to pay out of their own pocket for the additional kit, such as spine protectors, cholera belts, &c.; whether he is aware that the same rule has been carried out with regard to the men now on active service in the Soudan; and, whether our gallant soldiers could not be provided with the articles necessary to enable them to carry out their duties without extra charge to them?
§ MR. BRANDSoldiers proceeding to India are provided with certain necessaries, for which they have to pay. The articles are mainly for the purpose of enabling the men to save the wear during the voyage of their ordinary necessaries; and, as the maintenance of the latter is at their own cost, it would seem to be quite fair that they should pay for the substitutes which add to their comfort and save them expense. The charges against a soldier embarking for the Soudan have been very small—something under 1s., I understand.