§ CAPTAIN NORTON () Newington, W.I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 918 War whether he can explain why, by a recent circular, the parents and guardians of Sandhurst cadets are called upon to advance to the college authorities a sum of 2s. a day is already allowed out of Army funds for messing; and why, seeing that the cadets are about 300 in number, the last-mentioned sum does not suffice for good and complete messing; also, if he can state how this sum compares with the sum paid by cadets in His Majesty's Navy.
§ MR. BRODRICKIf the hon. Member will be good enough to look at the circular in question he will see that the advance of 2s. a day is entirely optional, and that the items to be provided out of it cannot be held to be necessary components of good and complete messing. They include such articles as beer, mineral waters, extra jams, and tobacco.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that although the Government pay a sum of 3s. per diem for the cadets' food thay have nothing between 1 p. m. and 8 p. m. except such as they provide for themselves?
§ MR. BRODRICKAdequate rations are provided for 3s. a day.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there have been grave complaints as to the insufficiency of food among the cadets?
§ MR. BRODRICKI am not aware of that; it has not been brought to my notice.
§ CAPTAIN NORTONIs the right hon. Gentleman also aware that the guardians and parents of these cadets, taking into account this 2s. extra per diem, pay more than a guinea a day?
§ [No answer was returned.]