§ MR. HOWELL (Denbigh Boroughs)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether any and what steps are being taken in South Africa to identify and keep a record of defective stores supplied to the field force, with a view to claims being made against the contractors who have supplied the same.
§ * THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS, Birmingham, S.)The careful inspection to which all stores are subjected before despatch to South Africa has, so far, prevented the shipment of defective articles, and no complaints of bad stores have been received. If, however, any defective stores should reach the troops, reports would, in the ordinary course, be made to the War Office. In such a case the necessary measures would be taken to bring the contractors to account.