HC Deb 03 August 1900 vol 87 cc633-4
SIR CAMERON GULL (Devonshire, Barnstaple)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the treatment of certain members of the Canadian contingent, who had been invalided home, at Shorneliffe Camp from 1st to 8th June, during which time they were without any proper accommodation and rations; and will he state who was responsible for such treatment.

*MR. WYNDHAM

I presume the hon. Member is referring to certain allegations which appeared in the newspapers at a time corresponding to the dates he gives. A telegram of inquiry was sent to Shorncliffe on the subject, and the following answers were received from the officer commanding the Provisional Battalion, to which the Canadians are attached:—

(1) By telegraph, on 12th June— No grounds for any complaints; Canadians here are very angry at reports in papers, and came to me yesterday and asked for permission to write to contradict them, which, of course, by the regulations, I could not give.—KELLY. (2) By letter, 13th June— The Brigade-Major, Shorncliffe. With reference to the inquiries of the Adjutant-General as to the housing, feeding, and granting of furloughs to noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Canadian Regiment and to certain paragraphs in newspapers stating that they were not being well treated exactly the same as other soldiers in the battalion. All who wish to go on furlough have had one granted them. In one ease the man returned in two or three days, having spent his money, and will consequently be in debt for the next two months. The non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal Canadian Regiment were much annoyed at the paragraphs in certain papers which stated they were not well treated: and the senior asked to see me, and said they were quite satisfied and asked for permission to write to the newspapers to contradict the reports about them. (Signed) "C. H. KELLY, Colonel Commanding Provisional Battalion. Shorncliffe, 13th June, 1900. The General Officer Commanding, Shorncliffe, adds:— I fully bear out the statements and opinions of Colonel Kelly. I not so very long ago personally saw and conversed with some of the men and they gave me the impression of men who were quite contented with their position and surroundings. (Signed) "H. HALLAM PARR, Major- General, Commanding South Eastern District. Shorncliffe, 13th June, 1900.

SIR CAMERON GULL

May I ask the Under Secretary whether ho has received a statement sent to him, not founded on any newspaper report, but written by one of the men themselves, detailing exactly the ill-treatment they have experienced. If he has not received it will he let me send him a copy of it?

*MR. WYNDHAM

I do not think the testimony of one man would outweigh the general testimony of the others. I did not give one paragraph of Colonel Kelly's letter, because it reflected on the newspaper press of this country, but in that paragraph Colonel Kelly said that the Canadians had told him that there was one grumbler amongst them to whom they attributed all the paragraphs.

SIR CAMERON GULL

Is the hon.Gentleman aware it was stated in that letter that——

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order ! The hon. Member cannot enter into details.

SIR CAMERON GULL

I will put a further question on the subject.