§ MR. H. S. FOSTER (Suffolk, Lowestoft)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the clothing and feeding of the Imperial Yeomanry at the front, and if he can state why the men of Paget's Horse (Imperial Yeomanry) were early in July engaged on convoy duty in a state of semi-starvation, between Smid's Drift and Daniel's Kraal, their daily rations consisting of a small piece of bread and no biscuits, whilst they were taking up convoys of provisions to Sir Charles Warren; and who is responsible for the arrangements under which these men find it impossible to cash postal orders issued from the London post offices and sent out to them, and which it was stated in London could be cashed at any camp post office with the forces, the result being that the men were unable to purchase the abundant food supplies of the rebels and were unable to obtain proper supplies from their own forces.
The following questions also appeared on the Paper:—
§ MR. H. S. FOSTERTo ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he is now able to state who is responsible for the continuous non-delivery of warm clothing and other comforts, sent out in quantities weekly since the departure of the Imperial Yeomanry, and extending therefore over some months; and will any opportunity be afforded to persons in this country of giving evidence as to the quantity of such comforts sent out weekly by them, and not one of which has been delivered.
§ MR. H. S. FOSTERTo ask the Under Secretary of State for War who is responsible for the men of Paget's Horse (Imperial Yeomanry) being in a state of rags in the month of July; whether they have yet been supplied with proper clothing, having regard to the severity of the nights in South Africa; and whether, as the men of this and other Volunteer corps gave up their occupations and comforts in order to answer the invitation of the Government, searching inquiry will; be made to ascertain how far the hardships to which they have been subjected I could have been avoided or mitigated by those responsible.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMIf my hon. friend will permit me I will reply to his three questions together. There is no official information of the want of food or clothing mentioned; the responsibility for getting food and clothing to the front rests with the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa and his staff. In regard to the delivery of comforts I have already explained that an inquiry is being made in South Africa. Food and clothing naturally take precedence of comforts. The General Post Office made arrangements that postal orders issued in London should be cashed at any field post office in South Africa. If there is any evidence of failure in these arrangements I shall be happy to make inquiry. The general questions raised by the hon. Member—namely, whether our arrangements for transport and supply can be improved, and whether they have been turned to the best account during the present war—are of the highest importance and will form the subject of careful inquiry when the war is over.