§ 23. Mr. MORRELLasked the Secretary of State for War if he will make inquiries into the conditions now prevailing at Grove Park Camp, the depot of the motor transport, and in particular if be will say whether the number of men stationed at this camp is greatly in excess of the accommodation; whether the men have been sleeping in wet tents, and in some cases without tent-boards; whether many of these men have been obliged to wait for six or seven days before a proper kit is served out to them, and during this time have not had sufficiently strong boots or clothing to stand the rough weather; whether he is aware that these men are for the most part recruits unused to camp life; and whether several deaths have recently occurred at this camp?
28. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked whether new arrivals in any of the Army Service Corps camps near London are still being placed in tents; and whether there is any higher rate of sickness among the men so housed?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am informed that the number of men at this depot is not in excess of the accommodation provided. During October a certain number of men were under canvas, but no one is under canvas now. All tents were provided with tent boards. Men are clothed on arrival, though at one time men destined for Osterly Park were not clothed until they arrived there. Generally speaking, camp life is more conducive to health than huts. During October there were four deaths amongst 18,000 men. Of the four men 185 who died three were in billets and the fourth, who was in camp, died of heart disease.