§ 25. Captain Macnamaraasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is no officers' mess at Tientsin and that the officers use a private house for this purpose one and a-half miles from barracks; and whether, in view of the undesirability of having officers so far from barracks in a country such as China and the discomfort to the officers themselves, he will authorise the building of a mess in barracks?
§ Sir V. WarrenderMy right hon. Friend cannot accept the suggestions made in the second part of the question.
§ Captain MacnamaraIs it not a fact that the officers' mess is a mile and a half from the barracks?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI understand that the accommodation is very comfortable, and that it is about a mile away.
§ 26 and 27. Captain Macnamaraasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware that there is constant complaint in Tientsin at the lack of military equipment there and that, since last October, there have only been, on the average, two groundsheets between 120 men; and whether steps will be taken to provide sufficient equipment;
(2) whether he is aware that there is an insufficient reserve of equipment in Tientsin and that if anything has to be replaced it has to be sent from Didcot, which takes about six months; and whether steps will be taken to provide adequate reserves of equipment?
§ Sir V. WarrenderI am not aware of any shortage of equipment at Tientsin, but, if my hon. and gallant Friend will let we know what grounds he has for suggesting that such a shortage exists, I will look into the matter.
§ Captain MacnamaraIs it not a fact that the statement has been made that there is a considerable shortage of equipment, and as I cannot possibly go to see for myself, will my hon. Friend have a look into the circumstances to find out whether it is true or not?