MR. MAC NEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War is it a fact that the canteens attached to regiments are open for the sale of malt liquors to the troops every day of the week from 12 a.m. till 9.30 p.m.; whether soldiers are permitted to treat civilians to drink at these canteens, and 128 to buy drink for consumption without the precincts of the military barracks; and whether, having regard to the tendency of recent legislation to limit the hours during which the traffic in drink can be carried on, he will take any steps for placing some restrictions on the sale of drink within barracks to Her Majesty's troops?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPECanteens are open for the sale of malt liquors to the troops every day of the week from. 12 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. Civilians are not allowed in a canteen at hours prohibited by the Licensing Act in force at the place, and at other times only by permission of the commanding officer. They cannot themselves make purchases in a canteen; but a soldier is permitted to treat a civilian friend. The soldier may not buy drink at a canteen for consumption outside the barracks. I have already informed the House that I propose, on the Barracks Bill, to explain the measures we are adopting for the promotion of temperance in the Army.