§ 11. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the fact that in some cases regimental institutes are charging prices largely exceeding, and in some cases exceeding by at least 20 per cent., the prices at which the same articles could be procured from local tradesmen, and that even if on application to the Board of Control such prices are lowered, yet that this course is accompanied by much delay, and that in the meantime the excessive prices are charged to the soldiers; and whether, with the view of effectively dealing with such cases, steps will be taken to give the commanding officers of the various units power to purchase articles for the use of their men from local sources in cases where the prices charged at the regimental institutes for such articles are too high?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)No, Sir, my attention has not been drawn to the 1045 alleged facts, but if my hon. and learned Friend will kindly furnish me with sufficient particulars of any case I shall be glad to have the matter inquired into. The maximum prices are at present fixed by the Board of Control, with the advice of special trade experts. As regards local produce, the fixing of the prices is entirely in the hands of the commanding officer.