§ 21 Colonel YATEasked the Secretary of State for War whether there was any emergency which necessitated the sending out of the drafts for regiments in India in the "Ballarat" in the middle of the Indian hot weather; if not, will he say who were the officers responsible for the dispatch of these troops; and was the "Ballarat" a ship suitable for such service?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Commander-in-Chief in India asked in February that drafts to complete units should be sent out as early as possible, and it was in response to this demand that the troops embarked on board the "Ballarat" were sent. The "Ballarat" is a fully fitted troop transport specially designed for carrying passengers through the tropics. It has high, well-ventilated, decks, and is considered to be among the best ships for eastward trooping. There are four other ships of the same type, and all these ships have been used for eastward trooping and there have been no complaints.
§ Colonel YATECan the right hon. Gentleman say why these troops, who were asked for in February, were not sent in February, but June, waiting till the middle of the hot weather?