§ SIR ALFRED HICKMAN (Wolverhampton, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the medical staff with the Army in the Soudan are not provided with the Röntgen rays apparatus; and whether he will take steps to supply the deficiency?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)Arising out of the Question, may I ask whether the Secretary of State for War has received confirmation of the reports in the newspapers that the litters provided for the wounded at the battle of Atbara had no covers for the 29 men's heads, and that they had consequently to be carried long distances exposed to the burning sun; and whether, if there should be a further engagement in the Soudan, the right honourable Gentleman will say if these defects will be remedied?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ST. JOHN BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe question of folding hoods for stretchers has been under consideration, and at the instance of the Director General early in March 350 sets were ordered. Of these 70 have already been delivered at Woolwich, and will shortly be sent to the Soudan, so that they will be available, I hope, before another engagement takes place. In reply to the Question on the Paper, I have to say that the Rontgen rays apparatus for field service requires special construction. One was made for Egypt, and was dispatched thither on the 5th of April, together with a large one for use in the station hospital at Cairo.