§ SIR THOMAS DEWAR (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, under Paragraph 5 of the Army Order, dated 22nd June, 1903, relative to the management of regimental institutes, General Officers commanding Army Corps are forbidden to make district contracts for beer supplies to regimental institutes; and, seeing that other supplies for the Army are made under contract, and that the system of district contracts which has been in force during recent years has admitted of soldiers being supplied with malt liquors of improved quality at a reduced cost, will he state under what circumstances the new Order has been made, and whether he can arrange to have it re-considered.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) This alteration was advisedly adopted after full consideration of the evidence taken, and the unanimous recommendation of the Military Authorities was in favour of the abolition of district contracts. I fear I cannot undertake to reconsider the matter.