§ MR. JEFFREYSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what casualties (if any) occurred amongst the troops employed in the recent manœuvres at Aldershot; and if due precautions were taken so that the troops were not unnecessarily exposed to the extreme heat of the day?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI can best reply to this question by reading the Report received from the General commanding at Aldershot—
I took all precautions to save fatigue to the Volunteers. The extreme distance marched by any of them prior to the commencement of operations on the 9th of August was 5½ miles, and officers were detailed as guides to show the nearest route. The day was very hot, and, mainly in consequence of the heat, eight men were admitted to the hospital, of whom I regret to say, one died. He was nearly 60 years of age, and had been allowed to prolong his service as being a very good shot. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance and every attention was paid to him. There were no casualties on other days.
§ MR. JEFFREYSThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the latter part of my question. May I ask whether precautions could not be taken against exposing the Volunteers in the extreme heat of the day; whether the Volunteers in question are not unused to such violent exercise; and whether they had not marched five miles and a half in the early morning without breakfast, and then gone through the manœuvres later in the day?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe words used by Sir Evelyn Wood, 426 with the question of the hon. Member before him, are—"I took all precautions to save fatigue to the Volunteers."
§ *SIR J. GOLDSMID (St. Pancras, S.)Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that the troops shall not be exercised in those days of extreme heat, as it has a bad effect on the troops, and it is right to save our Army?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI can hardly conceive that the General Officer commanding at Aldershot would be altogether oblivious of the facts which the hon. Member has referred to. I doubt if there is any occasion for me to interfere.
§ MR. DARLING (Deptford)Is it not the practice, under such circumstances, for the Commander-in-Chief to protect himself with a parasol?
§ MR. PIERPOINT (Warrington)Did any casualties occur among the Regular troops during the excessive heat?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANWill the hon. Member give notice of the question?
§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)Was not the falling-out from troops which were being marched before breakfast? Did not Sir Evelyn Wood report that as the principal cause?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have given the House all the information in my possession. If the hon. Member wishes any further details perhaps he will give notice.