§ 72. Mr. R. GWYNNEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he has made further inquiries regarding the shortage of mattresses for the 3rd battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, stationed in the Isle of Wight during the autumn months; and if he can state the result of his inquiries?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have made further inquiries and find that the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on this subject on the 23rd November was inaccurate. Instead of having 875 mattresses on the 14th August, the regiment had 595 on that date, and the number was gradually increased until the total of 875 was reached on the 30th September. The regiment had received its full complement of mattresses and palliasses on the 10th November. The issue of a second blanket per man was completed by the 9th October, and of a third blanket by the 8th November, not the 12th September and 13th October, respectively, as originally stated. During the months of September and October over 19,000 palliasses were issued from store, which shows the rapidity with which the indents received from the 554 various units were met. While expressing my regret for having given an inaccurate answer to the hon. Gentleman, I should like him to realise that the provision of the information he asked for necessitated the search through some thousands of vouchers.
§ Mr. GWYNNEWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire who was responsible for these troops being without any mattresses or blankets at all for over a month?
§ Mr. TENNANTI will make the inquiry.