§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will state under what circumstances, and on what conditions, Messrs. R. Dickeson & Co. have secured the right to supply dry goods, and a number of other articles to canteens in the Dublin military district, what steps are taken to secure competition with this firm, for what period has their monopoly been created, and who is responsible for making the arrangement.
§ MR. BRODRICKThese matters rest with the General Officer Commanding the District, to whom the hon. and learned Member should address any communications he would like to make. I may inform the hon. Member that, in view of the early assembly of a Committee on the system under which canteens and regimental institutes will in the future be conducted, the Commander-in-Chief has directed that, contracts shall not be made for any period beyond next June.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYDo I understand that in matters affecting the welfare of the soldier, Members of Parliament have no redress whatever in this House, but must communicate with the military authorities?
§ MR. BRODRICKQuestions as to refreshment contracts are always left in the hands of Commanding Officers, and I think the hon. and learned Member will recognise the difficulty of dealing with such matters from headquarters.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYThen everything in connection with soldiers' requisites is a Government job, and we are not entitled to ask Ministers for an explanation!
§ MR. BRODRICKSoldiers are best safeguarded by their own officers.
† See (4) Debates, cii., 517.
§ MR.T.M. HEALYThen abolish this parliament.