§ EARL CARRINGTONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether on 1st January, 1904, any regiments in South Africa were still under canvas, and, if so, whether these troops were supplied with bedsteads to keep them off the ground; if so, will he give the names of these regiments; (2) what number of military huts have been supplied for the troops in South Africa; and how many have already been erected.
THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (The Earl of DONOUGHMORE)My Lords, I must first express my gratitude to the noble Earl for postponing this Question until to-day, so as to enable the information he requires to be obtained from South Africa. On 1st January this year, there were 9,848 troops, that is to say, non-commissioned officers and men, under canvas in South Africa. The units were: the 3rd and 7th Dragoon Guards, 7th Hussars, R and S Batteries of the Royal Horse Artillery, 83rd and 85th Batteries Royal Field Artillery, the 10th and 13th Brigade Divisions Royal Artillery, the 2nd Royal West Surrey Regiment, the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment, the 4th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, and 2nd, 4th, and 5th Mounted Infantry, and detachments of the Royal Engineers, Army Service Corps, and Army Veterinary Departments at various stations. That is to say, about one-third of the troops then in South Africa were under canvas. I am informed that the majority of these units had 1376 provided themselves with European-pattern tents and marquees; all had beds, field-service or barrack, except a portion of 7th Hussars and the Harrismith units, who had constructed bedsteads of old material. These units have since been supplied with beds. The units at the temporary stations, Kroonstad and Ladybrand, had not bedsteads. The units under canvas had huts or large tents for dining and recreation, wash-houses, etc. As to the number of huts supplied, I am informed that between October, 1901, and April, 1902, 1,094 huts were sent to South Africa, and since then 200 bungalows for married officers have been despatched, Of those huts, about 760 have been erected in the new cantonments, a good deal of new material being used in the process, 186 were used in concentration camps, and thirty, after having been used for temporary purposes, have been sold. This accounts for 976 out of the 1,094 huts sent out. The remainder are standing in temporary hospitals or temporary camps. I may remind your Lordships that barracks are being built as rapidly as possible. We have to build barracks for, I think, some thirty-eight units of different sorts and sizes, and the barracks for all but five will be ready by August. A great many of them are occupied now.
§ House adjourned at ten minutes before Five o'clock, till Tomorrow, half- past Ten o'clock.