§ MR. COGHILL (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to secure that soldiers on the march shall have some breakfast given them before starting in the morning, and that they shall not be dependent on the generosity of innkeepers for this meal for which at present the innkeepers receive no remuneration?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEWhen a soldier is in barracks the ration he receives from the public has to be supplemented at his own expense in order that he should be provided with breakfast and tea. When on the march he is allowed a hot meal, which is more than equivalent to the ration in barracks; and, consequently, he has less difficulty in providing the supplementary meals. The soldiers do not depend on the generosity of the innkeeper for their break fast, that meal being provided, as in barracks, under regimental arrangements. Billets are, however, much scattered—often over two or three miles—and it would be impossible for an officer to see that all the men had morning meals and marched at the proper time. All that can be done is to give general directions.