§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that numerous complaints are being made with reference to the severity of the training and the inadequacy of the food at Wang-ford Camp, Suffolk; if he is aware that in the middle of last month, July, a company of the 2/4th West Riding Regiment, along with others, after a normally heavy day at company drill, etc., about nine o'clock at night were sent to a hill some distance away, where they were at work trench digging until after one o'clock in the morning; that next day they were up at the usual hour, and sent off on the longest route march they had had so far, extending over a distance of twenty-one miles, with full kit, rifle, and 200 rounds of ammunition; that for dinner that day they had only a half-pint of stew and two potatoes per man; that men fell out not in ones or twos but in whole batches, and that those who stuck it to the end were dazed, footsore, and absolutely done up, and could hardly raise their rifles when ordered to slope arms; that for tea that day they had only two pieces of bread-and-butter and a bit of lettuce; that there was as usual no further official meal that day; and that the following day they had to be up at the usual hour and go through an ordinary day's heavy training, though in a state of exhaustion; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo complaints to the effect stated in the question have been received, but inquiries are being made, and if it is found that the conditions are as stated in the question, immediate action will be taken.
§ Mr. HIGHAMasked if at Wangford Camp, Suffolk, about a fortnight ago a soldier, a member of the 2/5th West Riding Regiment, committed suicide as a consequence of the treatment to which he had been subjected in that camp; if it is a common occurence at tea for the men to have only one loaf for twelve men; if men 523W are reported and often punished for the most insignificant and trivial matters; and if they are short of even the most ordinary medical supplies?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe War Office have no information either that the soldier committed suicide or that if he committed suicide it was due to the reasons stated, but inquiry is being made into all the points included in this question.