HC Deb 28 June 1900 vol 84 cc1324-5
COLONEL DALBIAC (Camberwell, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state at what period of the day the majority of the men fell out during the field day at Aldershot on the 11th instant; and whether, as on former occasions, most of the mischief occurred during the march home along dusty roads in column of route during the hottest part of the day.

*MR. WYNDHAM

It has been already stated that most of the men fell out on the return march; and the greater part of the march was through country where there are no made roads.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, having regard to the fact that in August, 1893, in consequence of the sufferings of the troops from the heat of the sun and from thirst and want of food on field days at Aldershot, Sir Evelyn Wood, who was then in command, made a report with strictures on the hardships to which the men had been subjected, and that a divisional order was issued, grounded on that report, which prescribed the giving out of a ration to troops taking part in field days, while commanding officers were made responsible for the examination of men's haversacks and water-bottles to see that the order was made effective; whether he will say if this order was in force at Aldershot on the field day on the 11th instant, and, if not in force, when was it cancelled, and what were the reasons for that course; and, if the order was in force, will he explain why it was not observed on the 11th instant, and state who is responsible for the disregard of its injunctions.

*MR. WYNDHAM

While Sir Evelyn Wood was at Aldershot an extra Government ration was sanctioned for tactical operations at a distance from the camp, while for operations in the vicinity of Aldershot light refreshments were provided from canteen funds. No alteration has been made in this practice. The commanding officers were made responsible that the men's haversacks and water-bottles were examined before the troops marched off parade. The order has never been cancelled, and there is no ground for supposing that it was infringed on the 11th instant.