DR. CAMERONasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether any remonstrance was received by the Indian Government as to the inadequacy of the veterinary establishment sent with the Indian Contingent to Egypt in 1882, and the dangers thereby entailed upon the British Forces with which it cooperated; and, whether any arrangement has been made, in connection with the Indian Contingent about to be despatched to the Soudan, to prevent the disregard of veterinary superintendence, characteristic of Indian Army administration, from neutralising the elaborate system of veterinary superintendence characteristic of the administration of a British Army in the field?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSThe Correspondence which passed between the War Office and the India Office on the subject referred to by my hon. Friend was forwarded to the Government of India for such action as might be necessary; and the Commander-in-Chief issued instructions for such periodical veterinary inspection as would guard against the possibility of the recurrence of an oversight such as that which took place in 1882. To make this quite sure, the precaution was taken of telegraphing to the Government of India to remind them of their Regulation, which required the veterinary inspection of all animals before embarking them for Suakin. A first-class veterinary surgeon accompanies the Force in charge of the brigade transport mules. The regiment of Cavalry has its own Native Establishment. I cannot admit the sweeping charge brought by my hon. Friend that a dangerous disregard of veterinary superintendence 45 is a characteristic of Indian military administration. On the contrary, I believe that in this, as in all other branches of the equipment and administration of an Army in the field, the Government of India have attained a high degree of efficiency.