§ 32. Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can give the House any information as to the requirements of the War Office in the matter of sandbags for the front?
§ 42. Sir JOHN SPEARasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that appeals from men at the front to their friends for more sandbags continue to be made, notwithstanding an order from the War Office, issued in April, intimated that sufficient bags were being supplied by the War Office and that the public need not provide any more; and will he cause in- 157 quiry to be made so that, in case there is now an insufficient supply, the charitably disposed public may deal with it, as before the issue of the War Office notice?
§ 43. Mr. KINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the conflicting statements published as to the requirements of men at the front needing sandbags; and if he will state whether voluntary aid in the supply of sandbags is being welcomed?
§ 47. Major HADDOCKasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that officers and men returning from the front are urging the provision of more sandbags; and if he can make a statement which will encourage voluntary workers to assist in supplying this need?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)Ample supplies are being sent over by the War Office at regular intervals, and the demands from the Armies have been fully met. I am glad to acknowledge that voluntary effort has supplied a considerable number of sandbags. The total number so supplied is about equal to the number which on the average we are now supplying every day. Our supply will be continuous, and there is a large reserve at the base, so that voluntary effort need no longer be directed into this channel.