§ GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverford west)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Mr. Hamilton Gatliff proceeded to South Africa at his own expense, and has, up to the present time, undertaken gratuitously the distribution of the clothing and other comforts sent out by friends at home to the several regiments at the front; whether, as in rendering this service he is aiding in maintaining the efficiency of the soldiers in the field, this is rather a duty that should properly be discharged by the War Department, and should not be dependent on voluntary effort; and whether the Government are prepared to recognise in any way the service rendered by Mr. Hamilton Gatliff.
*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)Everything necessary for the subsistence and efficiency of the troops in South Africa is supplied and distributed by the War Department. The work of distributing comforts sent by private persons, which are not necessaries, does not properly fall within the duties of the military staff; and Mr. Gatliff's generous offer to carry out this service without pay or reward was gladly accepted by the Secretary of State.
§ GENERAL LAURIEAre we to consider that shirts and socks are not necessary for the troops?
*MR. J POWELL-WILLIAMSI suppose that both shirts and socks are necessary. The supply of such articles to the troops is considered to be sufficient for actual service; but generous individuals had supplemented it.