§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithnessshire)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the total receipts for articles sold at the canteen of H. M. S. "Excellent, "Whale Island, Portsmouth, for the two years 1896 and 1897 amounted to £11, 976 7s.0½d.; and that, under different management, the sales for 1900 and 1901 amounted to £22, 490 14s. 2d., leaving an increase of £10, 514 7s. 1d.; whether the expenditure of surplus canteen funds for the latter year amounted to £2, 031 4s.3d.; and, if so, whether the system of management which has proved so efficient under the presidency of Commander A. H. Christian, R. N., could be introduced throughout the service.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe management of canteens is a matter dealt with on board ship, ample discretionary powers in respect of them being vested in the captain of the ship and the Commander-in-Chief of the station. I am therefore unable to say whether the figures given by the hon. Member are, or are not, correct. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is not considered desirable to introduce any single canteen system into the service generally, as conditions vary greatly according to the size and complement of the ship, and the part of the world in which she is serving. I may add that the Admiralty are fully alive to the need of proper supervision in connection with the management of canteens and a circular letter to the Fleet has recently been issued dealing fully with this matter.