§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a recruit joining at a regimental depot is put through a severe course of gymnastic and other training, chiefly in the open air, for a period of three months; and whether he is aware that the bread ration, one pound per diem, issued to him is regarded as altogether insufficient; and, having regard to the fact that the recently established "messing allowance" does not apply, would he consider the advisability of establishing an increased bread ration for the recruit, during this period.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is true that the "messing allowance" is not given to a recruit, but this only affects his pocket. He shares with his comrades in the additional messing, which includes extra bread. But, in his case, threepence is still stopped out of his pay.