§ 18. Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the Secretary of State for War, if he is aware that it is sought, by persons connected with the Army in the United Kingdom, to establish a trading monopoly within the Army, and that such monopoly is to be financed by a company known as the Canteen and Mess Co-operative Society, Limited, with £80,000 profits made out of the soldiers serving in South Africa; and whether, with a view to preventing such monopoly from depriving the soldier of 516 the benefits of trade competition and injuring taxpayers in garrison towns who. have to take measures to keep such towns in good sanitary condition, he will investigate the matter so as to prevent any injustice to the soldiers and citizens?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Harold Baker)I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to a question on this subject put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Southampton on the 21st inst. I hope to have an opportunity of dealing with this matter during to-day's Debate.