§ 8. General McCALMONTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether 213 any arrangement exists under which a report on the discipline of the troops is obtained from the Admiralty in every case in which a ship carrying troops meets with disaster; if not, whether such reports will be called for in future; and whether he will state the number of officers and other ranks whose names have been brought to favourable notice in this connection and the number of cases in which they have been rewarded or mentioned in dispatches?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONA report in all such cases is furnished to the War Office by the officer commanding the troops; and it is therefore not necessary to take the action suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards the last part of the question, these services have not been overlooked. A small committee is now considering the many reports which have been rendered in connection with the destruction of hospital ships, transports, and store ships by enemy action. The committee is co-ordinating a list of recommendations for reward and "mention," but it is not possible at the present time to give an estimate of the numbers. Very few rewards have been given so far for these services, as it is important that the various reports should be reviewed simultaneously in order that a standard of reward may be arrived at.
§ General McCALMONTArising out of the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, does he not think it would be better to get a report from the naval authorities in view of the fact that the commanding officer of troops is not likely to report any great deficiency or anything very complimentary regarding the troops under his charge?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think it is very desirable to get that, and I will bring it to notice.