VISCOUNT ENFIELD,in asking the Under Secretary of State for War, Whether any steps have been taken, or are likely to be taken, to carry out certain recommendations of the Board of Visitors in their report of the year 1884 with respect to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich? said, the Board were greatly satisfied with what they found as to Sandhurst—the high discipline, the physique, and the proficiency of the cadets were all that could be desired. The cadets, while working hard, were fit to go anywhere and do anything. There were several recommendations, however, as to minor matters which had not been carried out; and there was one 1667 point as to which the Board felt extremely anxious. There was no hospital ward where fever cases, or inflammation of lungs, or such serious diseases could be properly attended to. The medical officers strongly impressed the importance of such provision being made for the sick cadets. As to Woolwich, perhaps, the Report was not so satisfactory. The conduct, discipline, and morale were all excellent, but the Board were struck with the jaded and languid appearance of the cadets. It was felt that Woolwich was not, perhaps, so healthy a residence as Sandhurst, and that might account for the cadets not looking so well, though the official Medical Report was on the whole not unfavourable.
§ VISCOUNT BURYurged that the dietary should be improved, and that the present system of the parents of the cadets supplementing the dietary arrangements of the College should be rendered unnecessary by the provision of a generous diet, such as the growing lads were accustomed to at their homes. Where the body and mind were hard at work, and the young men were growing, it was essential that the dietary should be good.
THE EARL OF MORLEYsaid, he was sure it would be satisfactory to the House to hear his noble Friend (Viscount Enfield) give so extremely favourable a report of Sandhurst, and also, with a small exception, as to Woolwich. He believed that what his noble Friend had told the House as to both these Establishments was perfectly true. With regard to the recommendations which were made in the Report of the Board of Visitors at Sandhurst, he might say that all the suggestions had either been attended to or were now being carried out. As to the one matter which required the greatest consideration—namely, the hospital wards, authority had been given to fit out such a ward as was referred to. He hoped that would be done after the Easter Vacation. The suggestions of the Board of Visitors with regard to Sandhurst were being carried out, and especially those with respect to hospital wards. The other recommendations respecting smaller matters would also receive attention. As regarded Woolwich, some complaints had been made by the Board of Visitors with respect to the dietary; a change had been made, and different hours for meals had also been 1668 adopted. No complaints had come to his notice with regard to the meals at Sandhurst. He trusted that the changes that had been made would be satisfactory.
§ VISCOUNT BURYasked whether his noble Friend would take his suggestions into consideration?
VISCOUNT ENFIELD,on the part of the Board of Visitors, promised that the noble Viscount's remarks should receive their attention. He might say that at Sandhurst they heard no complaints with respect to the diet; but at Woolwich there were complaints, more especially with regard to the hours, and in a certain degree as to the quality of the provisions. The medical officer thought it his duty to bring these complaints under the notice of the Board.
§ VISCOUNT BURYsaid, that complaint was made as to the quantity, not the quality, of the provisions—a more generous diet was required.