HC Deb 16 February 1900 vol 79 c221
MR. FLYNN () Cork, N.

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he can state what arrangements were made by the War Office authorities in the direction of providing necessary refreshments for the troops on arrival at Queenstown before embarkation on the transport vessels. Whether many battalions in the months of November and December, after long railway journeys, were detrained at Queenstown, and kept at the railway terminus for many hours without food or drink of any kind, and who is responsible for this treatment.

MR. WYNDHAM

Dinner meals are provided for troops on board vessels immediately after embarkation. In a few cases when the ship has arrived very late half rations have been issued to the men while waiting. Troops have never been kept any long time at Queenstown without refreshment.

MR. FLYNN

My question was whether the men were kept ashore without food. Is it not the case that they have been sometimes so kept for 15, 16, and oven 24 hours?

MR. WYNDHAM

My answer is in direct contradiction of tint statement.