§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derbyshire, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if the South African Hospitals Commission will be able to inquire into the insanitary conditions which led to the outbreak of enteric fever and the consequent overcrowding of the hospitals at Bloemfontein.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.It will rest with the Commission themselves to determine the scope of their reference, but my own impression is that if the insanitary condition was due to the neglect of the Medical Department it would undoubtedly come under the cognisance of the Commission. If, on the other hand, it was due to military necessities—as, for instance, to the insanitary condition of the camp following on Paardeberg—I imagine it would not come under the survey of the Commission; but that is my own personal impression.
§ SIR WALTER FOSTERIs it not difficult to come to a conclusion of that kind without some inquiry?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURIt rests with the Commission to interpret their own reference.