HC Deb 03 April 1900 vol 81 cc1057-8
MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, with regard to the case of the Rifle Company Mounted Infantry 4th Cavalry Brigade at Aldershot, who received an order on 1st February last to be prepared for embarkation at the shortest notice, and on 15th February were ordered to proceed by special train from Aldershot to Royal Albert Docks * See page 312 of this Volume. and embark on the transport "Sicilian" for South Africa, and shortly afterwards received orders not to proceed to South Africa on account of sickness amongst their horses, whether the officers of the rifle company had to provide themselves with outfits at a cost of £90 each; whether this company has now been broken up and the outfits have therefore become useless; and whether, under these circumstances, the War Office will reimburse the officers for the money expended on their outfits.

MR. WYNDHAM

This company had to be broken up on account of infectious disease. But the officers have been selected for employment in South Africa, and their outfit will not therefore be wasted.

MR. JEFFREYS

Have all the officers been so selected?

MR. WYNDHAM

I understand that that is the case.