§ MR. W. E. M. TOMLINSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the question of the legality of regimental canteens in Volunteer camps is still sub judice, or whether the War Office have acted on the opinion of the solicitor to the Department—that nothing will be gained by applying for a special case in the matter of the canteen of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment; and whether, in view of the doubt cast upon the legality of Volunteer canteens worked strictly on the regimental system, he will reconsider the suggestion that a clause should be inserted in the Army Act of this Session, defining the conditions under which such canteens may be legally worked?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe case is no longer sub judice. It appeared on a re-hearing of the case that the canteen in question had sold liquor to the general public, a course inconsistent with the rules governing regimental canteens. There was, therefore, no necessity for a special case. There is no question of the power of Volunteer Corps to establish canteens on the regimental system; but it is understood that for temporary encampments the system is not suitable, and that, as a rule, licences would be taken out under Section 174 of the Army Act. No amendment of the Act seems to be required.