§ When the Army Estimates were introduced in the current financial year, the concentration camps had, practically, not been established. I think the oldest of them was only a few weeks old. In the course of last year there grew up a population, under the immediate control of the War Office for many months, amounting in the end to nearly 150,000 human beings, a population not inconsiderable in comparison to any Continental army, and as great as many large English towns. And this large body of people had to be sheltered, clothed, and fed, as far as circumstances enabled us to do it, under the immediate control of the Department which I administer. I do not propose—we have a Motion on the Paper—to say anything with regard to that administration, though perhaps I may be pardoned if I allude to one of the last official acts which, before it became possible to transfer these camps to the control of the Colonial Office, it fell to my lot to carry out—that was to 369 appoint a Committee of ladies to inspect them. The appointment, I think, has been fully justified by the report of the Committee. It shows not only, I think, great grasp of the subject, great clearness, great promptitude, and great devotion, but it indicates their claim as ladies to undertake a work for which they were peculiarly qualified, and they deserve, I think, the gratitude of all Members of this House.