§ LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PRYCE-JONES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction among the subscribers to the fund for the establishment and maintenance of the Welsh hospital for South Africa on account of its discontinuance or absorption with another hospital, although Lord Lansdowne had accepted the offer of the committee to provide for its maintenance for another three months; and whether he will state into what hospital the Welsh hospital was absorbed; and whether the order for its absorption was given in accordance with instructions from the Commander-in-Chief or some, and, if so, what, officer in South Africa.
MR. BRYNMOR JONES (Swansea District)At the same time may I ask the Secretary of State for War whether, upon the discontinuance of the Welsh hospital in South Africa and its absorption into a military hospital, the plant, medicines, and appurtenances of the hospital were taken possession of by the military authorities; whether any, and if any how many, members of the staff of the Welsh hospital were transferred to the military hospital by which it was absorbed; into what hospital was the Welsh hospital merged; and what were the military or administrative reasons which made the absorption of the Welsh hospital expedient after the acceptance by Lord Lansdowne of the offer of the Committee to maintain the hospital for another three months.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, WesthoughtonI will reply at the same time to the two questions. I am not aware that there exists the dissatisfaction complained of. The hon. secretary of the Welsh Hospital Commission recently called at the Army Medical Department and stated that the committee were perfectly satisfied with the action taken. The hospital has been absorbed into No. 2 General Hospital, by order of the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, By the terms of the agreement between the committee and the War Office, the hospital equipment is to be handed over to the latter on the former ceasing to maintain the hospital. I am making inquiry from South Africa as to the remaining points raised by the hon. Member for Swansea District.
MR. BRYNMOR JONESIs the noble Lord aware that the secretary he refers to is the secretary of the executive committee, and not of the general committee who were instrumental in raising this large fund?
§ LORD STANLEYI am not aware of that.
§ MR. G. T. KENYON (Denbighshire)Is it not the fact that a considerable amount of the money originally subscribed is still unexpended? What steps are being taken in regard to it?
§ LORD STANLEYI am afraid I cannot go into details. Perhaps the hon. Member will put the question down.