§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can explain why no definite provision is made for the inspection of veterinary and medical stores in the (War Office) Order in Council of 4th November, 1901, while the inspection of ordnance and engineer stores is specifically provided for therein.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe inspection of veterinary and medical stores is carried out by the officers of the Army Veterinary Department and the Army Medical Corps, under the orders of the Quartermaster General and the Director General, Army Medical Service, who are charged with the duty of their inspection. In the case of the Director General of Ordnance, who is charged with the provision of warlike stores, it was necessary to draw a specific distinction between the inspection of those which are purely engineer stores, the responsibility for the quality of which rests with the Inspector General of Fortifications, and that of the warlike stores belonging to other branches of the Army, for which the Director General of Ordnance is responsible.