§ COLONEL SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, if it is proposed before long to relieve the Royal Welsh Fusiliers sent to Crete at a few hours' notice last spring; if huts have now been provided for them; if the difficulties of obtaining drinking water have been overcome; and if officers and men have been granted field allowances in consideration of the irksome character of their duties, and the expenses to which all ranks are put as part of an international force?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.As at present arranged, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers now in Crete will be relieved in the course of a few months, but, of course, all such arrangements are liable to change if circumstances require it. Huts for the troops were sent out towards the end of last year, but it is believed there have been difficulties as to their erection. Meantime, the provisional arrangements for winter quarters are understood to have been very successful. The tents have been provided with puddled floors and wooden sides. The men have also been supplied with beds. The Navy supply condensed water, as to which no complaint has been made. The officers have field allowance. The Warrant Officers also have field allowance if under canvas. Officers and men have rations on the field service scale.