Major TERRELLAt Question Time to-day I put a question to the Financial Secretary to the War Office, and I gave notice that I would raise the matter which seemed to me urgent and important, and that is as to the clothing which is being issued to our troops serving in France. Just before the New Year an officer returning from the forces in France showed to me some of the clothing which 1132 he told me was being issued by the authorities to the men serving in the trenches. The clothing which he brought me was torn, shrunken, threadbare, patched, and thoroughly useless for the purposes for which it was intended.
§ Lord EDMUND TALBOT (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)I am afraid there has been some misapprehension as there is no representative of the War Office here. At the time the hon. Gentleman raised the point I understand there was considerable conversation going on, and I do not think my hon. Friend understood that it was intended to bring it up here on adjournment. At any rate, he is not here. Perhaps the hon. Member will postpone it?
Major TERRELLOf course, I should like the Financial Secretary to be here. The matter is a most serious one. I will, therefore, postpone it, and hope he will be in attendance when I again bring it up.
§ Mr. KINGI hope this will be a warning to the Government. The hon. Member for Gloucester certainly gave clear notice and I stayed on because I considered it a most important question. As a member of the rank and file I appeal to the Government that due attention, should be given to inquiries by private Members.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Adjourned accordingly it Six minutes before Eleven o'clock.