§ Sir J. JARDINEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he can definitely state that any arrangements are being made, in consideration of the bad climate of Mesopotamia, the changes of temperature from the bitter cold of 29 degrees to the heat of 130 degrees, and the increase of fevers, jaundice, and cholera in the hot weather, to replace any units of troops which have already withstood two hot weathers in successive years by units at present cantoned in the healthy conditions of Indian military stations?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONArrangements are in hand which will materially reduce the number of units which have been in Mesopotamia for two hot weathers, but the present scarcity of shipping precludes the regular replacement of whole units in Mesopotamia by those in India. The General Officer Commanding in Chief grants such leave as he finds possible, giving preference to those who have been in Mesopotamia for two hot weathers, but this privilege is bound to depend on the military situation at the time and the availability of transport. The improvement of general conditions in Mesopotamia has resulted in a large decrease in sickness, especially in enteric, malaria, dysentery, and cholera. Except during the height of the hot weather the climatic conditions about Bagdad compare very favourably with those in India.