§ MR. HEDDERWICK (Wick Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether under the Queen's Regulations of 1895 sergeants could only obtain liquor from the canteen upon payment on the spot; and whether under the most recently-issued Regulations a weekly credit is allowed; and, if so, whether such credit has been found beneficial?
§ MR. WYNDHAMAssuming that the honourable Member refers to sergeants' messes, and not to canteens, at which sergeants do not buy beer except in bulk for their messes, the Queen's Regulations for 1895 laid down that payments for liquor should be made on the spot. But for several years weekly accounts have been introduced as an experiment, and, as a result of the experience gained, it is now, under the Queen's Regulations of 1898, left to the commanding officer to permit such accounts at his discretion.