HC Deb 11 March 1902 vol 104 cc1009-10
MR. COURTENAY WARNER (Staffordshire, Lichfield)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will inform the House what are the terms of reference on which the Court of Inquiry into the administration of the Remount Department are conducting their inquiry.

CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)

had a similar Question on the Paper.

MR. BRODRICK

The terms of reference were as follow— The court will take evidence on oath, and carefully consider the following matters, and will record their opinion on the various questions raised. The court will consider the administration of the Remounts Department since the appointment of Major General Truman as Inspector General of Remounts, January, 1899, and report—

  1. "1. Whether the purchase of horses at home and abroad has been conducted on the best system for the public service;
  2. "2. Whether the officers selected for purchasing remounts at home and abroad were suitable and competent;
  3. "3. Whether the arrangements for shipments of the remounts as they arrived at the ports of embarkation were satisfactory;
  4. "4. Whether the arrangements for the care of the animals during the voyage were in all respects complete, and whether the conducting officers, veterinary surgeons, and attendants accompanying the ships were competent and satisfactory;
  5. "5. Whether, in cases where the condition of the animals on landing was found to be unsatisfactory, prompt and sufficient measures were taken to prevent the recurrence of the evils reported;
  6. "6. Whether a regular system of reports, detailing whether the proper stamp of animals had been provided for the particular services required of them, was called for as a guidance to the relative value of the various sources of supply;
  7. "7. Whether, in cases of alleged fraud or negligence, effective measures were recommended for dealing with those concerned;
  8. "8. Whether, in view of the large demand on the Department, proper care was taken to obtain all available information as to sources of supply;
  9. "9. Whether, allowing for the great strain on the Department, due care and ability were shown in dealing with the demand for remounts."