HC Deb 05 March 1908 vol 185 cc864-5
SIR GEORGE SCOTT ROBERTSON (Bradford Central)

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether temperance has increased considerably in the Foot Guards during the last ten years; can he give percentage of cases of drunkenness to strength during the years 1897 and 1907 respectively, and the percentage to strength of the three classes taken together, of military, certificates of education granted to non-commissioned officers and men during the same two years; and can he give the takings of the coffee bars and grocery departments of the various battalions, including the depot of the Foot Guards, as compared with the takings of the liquor bars for the years 1897 and 1907.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The figures for the number of men fined for drunkenness, number of fines inflicted, and percentage of each to average strength are as follows:—

The figures, however, are not really comparable, as, under Army Order 36 of 1907, a soldier became liable to a fine for the second instance of drunkenness during his service, whereas previously the first

Men fined. Percentage to average strength. Fines inflicted. Percentage to average strength.
255 3.23 412 5.21

As regards certificate of education, the figures for those who gained certificates during the years in question are as follow:—

It must, however, be pointed out that the number of certificates gained in a year is largely influenced by the number of men not in possession of certificates at the beginning of that year and the number of recruits who joined during the year.

The figures accordingly showing the percentage of the whole number of men holding certificates in the Foot Guards to the strength should be taken for comparison; these were 46.63 in 1897 and 62.4 in 1907.

As regards the coffee bars and grocery departments no figures are forwarded to the War Office.