§ 85. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that the camp of the 3rd Royal Warwickshire Regiment, at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight, is 18 inches deep in mud; how long it is intended to keep this battalion under canvas in a quagmire; and why the construction of huts for the winter accommodation of troops in the Isle of Wight was not commenced before October?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am informed that the men of this battalion are now all in billets or in huts. I am inquiring into the point raised in the last part of the question.
§ 87. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that no mattresses were issued to the troops of the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment until November, 1914, and that the greater part of the regiment had to sleep on bare boards—for some weeks with only one blanket each—during the entire months of September and October; whether sufficient mattresses were, during the whole of this time, in store at Portsmouth; and, if so, why they were not issued; and why, if the mattresses were not in store, it was officially stated that they were, and every step was taken to prevent the military authorities in the Isle of Wight from purchasing new mattresses independently?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have had inquiry made and am informed that the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment were actually in possession of 875 mattresses from the 14th August, and that two blankets per man were authorised for issue on the 12th September and three on the 13th October. The statement contained in the last part of the question is not in accordance with the facts.
§ Mr. GWYNNEAre they in the possession of the men or are they only authorised?
§ Mr. TENNANTThey are in their possession, to the numbers I have given.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWere they in the stores?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am not aware. I have given the figures—875 men—and two blankets were given to each.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWere authorised?
§ Mr. TENNANTAnd issued.