§ 17. Mr. O'GRADYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the attention of the War Office has been called to the smallness in quantity of food supplied to the recruits at Efford Fort, Plymouth, 704 the case particularly applying to the East Lancashire Regiment; and, if so, will steps be taken to inquire at once with a view of remedying the existing state of things?
§ Mr. TENNANTThere have been no recruits at Fort Efford of the East Lancashire Regiment since September last. It has been ascertained, however, that there has been some grumbling amongst men of the band attached to the company occupying that fort, but except on one occasion, when a minor complaint was made, no complaint had been made to the officers. Steps have been taken to improve the messing arrangements of these men and to remove all possible cause of complaint. The regulation scale of rations makes provision for an ample supply of food.
§ Mr. O'GRADYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, or has his attention been called to the fact, that only last Sunday the supply was condemned by the officer in charge, and the men had to be re-supplied with tinned salmon?
§ Mr. TENNANTI did inform the hon. Gentleman in the reply I have just given that steps have been taken, and they have I think been taken since I received the notice of the hon. Member's question.