§ 72. Sir W. BYLESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether our troops in France have this month been deprived of their blankets and have had to sleep in their day clothes, and often without even straw to cover them; whether, as a result, severe and disabling colds have been caught, and unnecessary discomfort involved; and whether he will see to it that the thermometer and not the calendar shall determine the amount of warm clothing issued to the troops?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have no information on this matter. The withdrawal of blankets is within the discretion of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. An explanation of this step, if indeed it has been taken, may occur to my hon. Friend without any prompting from me.