§ GENERAL F. S. RUSSELL (Cheltenham)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will inform the House from what source the boots recently used by the British troops in Egypt were supplied; and what steps the Government intend to take to ensure troops being provided with serviceable boots in future?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.The boots supplied to the English troops on the Nile are of a higher quality than those issued to Egyptian troops. The Egyptian boot is made in India, and its sole is fixed to the welt by screws, instead of by sewing. This probably accounts for the fact that it has resisted the destructive action of the peculiar sand of the Nile region better than the English sole. The Sirdar has been asked to say if he considers the Egyptian boot better suited to this particular campaign than the English boot, and, if so, he is authorised to procure a sufficient supply from the stores of the Egyptian Government. There is an ample supply of the English boots on hand in Egypt to replace any boots that are unserviceable. The importance of the matter is fully recognised, and a thorough investigation will be made.