§ 58. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that some private persons who are prepared to take wounded soldiers who are sufficiently convalescent out of hospital and care for them until well have been informed that the men have no clothes to go in; and, having regard to the importance of having full accommodation for wounded men in hospital, will he so arrange that authorities be given power to supply the men with necessary clothes under these circumstances?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, authority has been already issued to officers in charge of hospitals to purchase locally whatever clothes may be required for convalescent soldiers leaving hospital in the event of no public stock being available to meet their requirements. Further, voluntary aid organisations, who have inquired as to what it is best to send to military hospitals in the Way of clothing, have been informed that the most suitable articles are such as would 865 supplement a soldier's regulation clothing when he is sent as a convalescent to private houses.
§ Sir JOHN SPEARWill the right hon. Gentleman allow me to give him an instance in Devonshire in which a Member of this House was prepared to take ten convalescent soldiers, and they, although anxious to come, could not do so because they could not get clothing?
§ Mr. TENNANTI shall be glad to make inquiries.