§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether complaints have reached him that nearly all the regiments stationed in Ireland obtain, or are compelled to get, most of their canteen and other supplies from the London Army and Navy Co-operative Stores, and that this occurs in consequence of a few officers of the regiments and districts in question being more or less interested in these Stores: and whether it is competent for any officer, being a member or shareholder in the Army and Navy Co-operative Stores, and holding a responsible command either in Ireland or the English provinces, to promote the pecuniary advancement of the Stores against and over the claims of local traders?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPENo complaints on this subject have reached me. Regimental canteens are under the management of Committees, which act independently of the Secretary of State for War. The members of these Committees deal for their stores where they can get them best and at the cheapest rate.
§ DR. TANNERIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that, as a matter of 552 fact, the major part of these canteens are supplied from the Army and Navy Stores?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPENo, Sir; I am not aware of that.
§ DR. TANNERIf I substantiate the assertion, and show that a certain number of canteens are so supplied, will the right hon. Gentleman promise to deal with the matter?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEI cannot undertake to do that. Most of the regiments deal entirely with local tradesmen. All of them do so largely, but I am not prepared to lay down compulsory regulations.
§ DR. TANNERIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that complaints have been made in this House on several occasions that gentlemen who have left the Service spend their time in touting for the Stores?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEI am not aware of it, although, of course, it may have been said.