§ 41. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken in the interests of the health and comfort of the troops at Shanghai during the coming hot season; and whether he has considered sending the battalions in turn to Wei-hai-wei during the hot weather?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)Everything possible is being done for the comfort of the troops, and the necessary precautions have been taken to guard against outbreaks of those diseases which are liable to occur during the hot weather. A convalescent camp is being formed at Wei-hai-wei.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether only the sick will be sent to this camp at Wei-hai-wei, or whether he is considering sending the troops in their turn to Wei-hai-wei?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat suggestion has already occurred to those in command, and it is going to be carried out.
§ Sir WILLIAM DAVISONWill the Government consider making use of some part of the Boxer Indemnity in order to provide some additional comfort for our troops in China?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI am afraid that does not arise out of the question.
§ Sir W. DAVISONPerhaps the right hon. Gentleman will make it arise.
42. Mr. BECKETTasked the Secretary of State for War what is the 100 per cent. disablement rate of pension that would be paid to a private soldier totally incapacitated through service in China?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)The rate of pension would depend on the soldier's length of service. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the relevant Article of the Pay Warrant, which gives full particulars.
§ Captain KINGCertainly. It may consist of the length of service element and the rank element for disablement benefit.
Mr. BECKETTIn the event of a man, either from fever or wounds, coming back totally disabled, will the amount of the sustenance he obtains depend upon his length of service?
§ Captain KINGNot entirely in regard to disablement pension. The actual rate of pension for total disablement depends also on rank and length of service.
§ Captain KINGThe highest rate would depend entirely on the length of service and the rank of the man.
§ 43. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for War why additional British troops are being sent to Peking; and whether it is the intention to deny the city to the Chinese Nationalist armies or only to strengthen the garrison of the Legation Quarter?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON - EVANSAdditional troops are being sent to Peking for the sole purpose of strengthening the garrison of the Legation Quarter.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer my question. Is it intended to protect the whole city or only to carry out our previous practice of guarding the Legations?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSNo, I have said that it is intended to protect the Legation Quarter.