MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the 523 Admiralty is he aware that quantities o£ loaves of bread are thrown overboard and wasted by the crews of His Majesty's ships of war, so that in one port alone as many as fifty loaves of bread are seen floating about a ship at one time. Is he aware that, in consequence of the men not being allowed to take up savings in the shape of money allowances in the case of bread, as they are allowed to do for everything else, the messes habitually order more bread than they require and habitually throw overboard the excess on any one day so as to make room for fresh bread on the next day; and will the Admiralty consider the desirability of baking bread for the men of each ship on board the ship itself, as was done in H.M.S. "Centurion," when on the China Station, with success for four months, the ship's galley being used for the purpose; or, failing this, will the Admiralty allow the men to take up savings for bread as they do for beef.
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.The Admiralty are not aware of the circumstance mentioned in the first paragraph of the Question. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in respect to the issue of bread. Savings may be, and are, taken up in respect of bread; therefore the reason for the alleged waste does not exist. No information has been received at the Admiralty as to any special practice on board H.M.S. "Centurion," but the question of baking bread on board His Majesty's slips was fully considered by the Committee on Navy Rations, and it was recommended that the practice should not be adopted. This recomendation was approved by the Admiralty. In view of the fact that savings are allowed on bread, the action suggested in the last paragraph of my hon. friend's Question is not necessary.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESWith reference to the doubt suggested by the hon. Gentleman as to the accuracy of my information, will he make inquiry at Devonport and ascertain whether, in March last, more than fifty loaves were not seen floating round about one ship?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI do not suggest a doubt as to the hon. Gentleman's information. I say the Admiralty have no information as to the circumstances, and the suggested motive for waste does not exist.
§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)Shall we have an opportunity afforded us of discussing the Departmental Vote on the Victualling Vote? Will the hon. Gentleman put it down first?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIt is not within my province to give any pledge, but I believe a pledge has been given in regard to another very important Vote, which is entitled to consideration.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESThe hon. Gentleman says he has no knowledge of what was done on the "Centurion." Will he kindly inquire?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERYes, inquiry shall be made. The commanding officer did not happen to be at the Admiralty today, or I would have asked him.