‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎51r] (106/246)

location of suitable plant, its acquisition, removal and transport would probably
involve as much delay as would the obtaining of new plant from England or
elsewhere ; and the plant thus acquired at second hand would almost certainly
be incomplete and unsatisfactory.
6. I am of opinion that, given the necessary plant, materials and facilities
for transport, the Military Works staff and personnel with this Force are fully
capable of supervising and carrying out the construction of our present medical
and sanitary requirements. Should these requirements at a future date demand
an increased establishment, it would I think be better to meet this demand
by expanding the Military Works staff, rather than by introducing a foreign
element in the shape of civilian contractors, who might compete with the Military
Works Services, both here and in India, in procuring the men and materials
required to carry out the work undertaken by them.
7. Finally, referring to the third proposal in Lieutenant-Colonel James* note
under reference, that materials for sanitary requirements should be given pre
cedence over other stores in transit from India to Basrah, I understand that
such delay as has occurred in despatching the stores I have asked for has been
due to difficulty in procuring them, and that when once they are available they
are not delayed by want of sea transport. This being the case, there appears to
be no necessity to lay down a rule giving precedence to these stores over other
requirements. Should, however, circumstances arise in which medical or sanitary
stores are likely to be seriously delayed owing to want of sea transport, I should
be glad if you would refer to me by telegraph as to the order of urgency in which
such stores should be despatched. This can only be determined on a considera
tion of the immediate military or medical exigencies of the moment.
Working copy to D. G. M. W.
Copy to M. S V., M. S. C., D. M. S.
Letter No. 11.-4! 71, dated 21st May 1916. -APPENDIX 3i(>
(Received in War Section on 23rd May 1916 ) (Tty. M?. 55453)
From—The Secretary to the Government of India, Army Department,
To —The Director, Medical Services in India.
I am directed to inform you that the Government of India have been
pleased to grant to the accredited representatives in India and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
of Messrs. Cox and Co., London, facilities for obtaining information from
officers commanding hospitals in India, Mesopotamia and in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
in regard to the condition and progress of sick and wounded British officers.
2. Messrs. Cox and Co. have agreed to defray the cost of all telegrams sent
to them in this connection, and I am to convey the following orders in regard
to the adjustment of these charges:—
(1) Officers commanding hospitals in India should stamp all receipts for
telegrams sent by them to Messrs. Cox and Co. with ft Cost
debitable to Cox and Co.,” and the Controller of Military
Accounts of the Division concerned will pass on their cost to the
Controller of Military Accounts, 6th (Poona) Division.
(2) In the case of hospitals in the field, the telegrams should be enfaced
£C Cost debitable to Cox and Co.,” and the Indian Telegraph
Department will debit their cost to the Controller of Military
Accounts, 6th (Poona) Division.
;(3) The Controller of Military Accounts, 6th (Poona) Division, will re
cover the cost monthly from Messrs. Cox and Co., Bombay, of all
telegrams sent to them.
Record copy to D. M. S.
Copy to A. G.