§ Mr. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War what there was in the nature of the country or in the operations I involved to necessitate the sufferings and privations to which the British troops under General Bundle have been exposed; who was responsible for the victualling of these troops, and what was the base from which they were supplied; whether quantities of provisions were stacked at country sidings while these troops were starving; and whether stops have now been taken to supply these troops with adequate food and other necessaries.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS, Birmingham, S.) (for Mr. WYNDHAM)No official information has reached the War Office in regard to the reported privations of General Rundle's force. Such details of the campaign are not 770 reported to the War Office, and the Secretary of State does not propose to make any inquiries of Lord Roberts on the subject.
§ Mr. PICKERSGILLI bog to give notice that, in consequence of the lion. Gentleman's reply, I will, on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, call attention to this matter, which is exciting the most painful interest in the public mind.