HC Deb 15 July 1887 vol 317 cc947-8
COLONEL HUGHES-HALLETT (Rochester)

asked the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, Whether the Report made by the officer commanding 2nd Dragoons on the collar hides recently issued to the Cavalry at Aldershot referred to one hide only, or to several; and, if so, how many; whether, when re-dressed by Messrs. Ross and Company, after they had been condemned as "worthless," these hides were re-examined, and "passed" as fit for issue, by the same viewer or viewers who passed them as sound and good in the first instance in 1886; and, whether the opinion expressed by the Inspector General of Cavalry in his Report, that— Someone ought to be blamed for passing such inferior articles into the Service, has been notified and acted upon; and in what manner; and on whom?

THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ORDNANCE (Mr. NORTHCOTE) (Exeter)

The text of the Report made by the officer commanding the 2nd Dragoons is as follows:— The collar hide issued from Ordnance Store for the repair of saddlery," &c.; apparently, therefore, only alluding to one hide. The Viewer who originally passed this and the other three and a-half hides complained of is no longer in the Service; it was, therefore, a different Viewer who passed the hides after re-dressing. The Inspector General of Cavalry's remarks have been carefully noted. As I have already stated, a full, independent investigation is being made into the whole circumstances of the case, and when finished the Secretary of State will decide what action may be necessary. I should like, in conclusion, to call my hon. and gallant Friend's attention to the fact that his Question purports to give, and does give, textually an extract from a confidential Report to the Secretary of State, and to ask him if he cm give me an assurance that no Government employé has been guilty of the offence of communicating the contents of confidential Papers.

MR. HANBURY (Preston)

By whom is the investigation being conducted?

MR. NORTHCOTE

The Judge Advocate General has undertaken the task.

MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)

Will the inquiry include the question whether the harness which was reported rotten in the Egyptian Campaign came from the same firm as supplied these hides, and whether the deterioration is due to the same causo—adulteration of the leather?

MR. NORTHCOTE

I have not heard.