HC Deb 07 May 1901 vol 93 cc933-4
MR. COURTENAY WARNER

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will explain why the contracts for supplying the regimental and depot canteen with groceries, potatoes, and such articles have been taken out of the hands of the commanding officers and put all directly under the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General in the North-Western District.

LORD STANLEY

It is left to the discretion of general officers either to make contracts for the entire supply of their districts or to leave it to commanding officers to make their own contracts.

MR. COURTENAY WARNER

Has the rule been altered, or is it the old rule?

LORD STANLEY

I do not know how long the rule has been in force, but it is one of the decentralising rules.