§ MR. LEVERTON HARRIS (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can say whether any regimental canteens are bound by any agreement or undertaking or is otherwise under any obligation to obtain a supply of any intoxicating liquor from any particular person; and, it so, can he state how many canteens are so bound.
§ MR. HALDANEThe contracts for the supply of articles to the regimental institutes are managed regimentally, and the War Office has, therefore, no information on the subject raised in the Question. It may be added that the Regulations lay down that no contract shall be for a longer period than six months, and also that in order to secure to the soldier the combined advantages of low prices and good quality, a sytsem of competition should be adopted.