§ Sir WILFRID LAWSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the privilege of allowing spirits to be embarked duty free for consumption by officers on board His Majesty's ships has been recently extended; whether the following amounts represent the maximum daily allowance of spirits that may now be embarked duty free under this concession— 1052 namely, flag officers, three pints per day; captains and commanders in command, one pint per day; lieutenants in command and officers in the ward-room and gunroom, one-third of a pint per day; whether the value of this exemption from duty in the case of a flag officer is equivalent to the rate of £100 a year; what is the reason for graduating the allowance per day in proportion to the rank of the officers; and whether any concessions are to be made to officers who do not use spirits?
§ Mr. McKENNAUntil the recent change, the regulations did not admit of spirits being embarked duty free on board His Majesty's ships at home ports, though all foreign-going merchant ships were allowed this privilege. The effect of the change has therefore been to extend to the Royal Navy the facilities already given to the merchant service. The quantities referred to in the second part of the question are correctly stated. The money value of the extension cannot be estimated, as it has been the custom for His Majesty's ships when visiting foreign ports to obtain supplies of spirits for use in home waters. The answer to the fourth part of the question is, that officers in the higher ranks of the Service have greater claims made upon their hospitality, and the suggestion contained in the last part of the question does not arise.
Mr. P.O'BRIENIs there any test put to these officers on their promotion as to whether their official capacity is equal to the quantity of drink put on board?
§ Mr. McKENNANo.