§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSON (Manchester, N.E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether a claim made by the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards for losses of canteen stores, amounting to £340, by the upsetting of boats on the Nile provided by the Egyptian Government, has been refused by the War Office; whether he is aware that the battalion was ordered to take up the Nile coffee bar goods sufficient to last till the end of September, and that a 1481 Board was held to consider the losses as won as practicable afterwards; whether the finding of the Board was approved by the General commanding the division, who considered the sum claimed moderate, and recommended its payment, and again approved by the General commanding in Egypt; whether the losses in question fall upon the canteen fund, and consequently upon the rank and file of the battalion; and on what grounds the claim has been refused after eight months' delay.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELLWILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.The matter referred to in the question of the right hon. Gentleman is still under consideration, and no final decision has yet been arrived at.