§ 14. Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for War if he can now state the reply to his inquiries in India as to the health of the troops in the rest camp at Karachi; how many men are in hospital; what deaths, if any, have taken place owing to the heat; whether he is aware that the latest news from home received by soldiers there is dated January last; and whether their wives' letters are still being returned to England instead of being sent on to Karachi from Mesopotamia?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA Report has now been received, and I am informed that the health of the troops at the concentration camp at Karachi is fairly good. There are nearly 700 troops at the camp, and the number in hospital on the 4th July was twenty-three. There have been no deaths owing to the heat.
189 As regards letters, I am informed that immediately it was decided to retain in India demobilisable men from Mesopotamia orders were issued to intercept the English mails for such men at Bombay base post office. It is regretted that some delay was unavoidable in retrieving mails already en route to Mesopotamia or awaiting delivery in Mesopotamia. With regard to the statement that letters have been returned direct to England, I can only suggest that this was due to individual requests made by men on their departure from Mesopotamia.