§ Sir J. JARDINEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is in a position to make any statement as to the health of the troops in garrisons on the River Tigris and River Euphrates, as to the provision of hospitals and the supply of nurses at such places as Basra, Bagdad, Amara, and Nasiriya, and as to the arrangements made for the supply of fresh vegetables?
§ Mr. MACPHERSON:The general health of the whole British Forces in Mesopotamia is satisfactory. There is an ample supply of hospitals, and no deficiency of nurses has been reported. The ratio of admission to hospital is less than double that of the troops in India in peace time. The death rate for all causes other than wounds in action is 4.5 per 1,000 per annum, which is only fractionally higher than the peace rate in India. Owing to the arrangements made to induce local cultivators to grow crops under our control, it is reported that full and varied supplies of vegetables can now be obtained throughout the year at all the principal centres.