§ 86. Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether at Maresfield Camp, in Sussex, bread supplied to the troops stationed there is being regularly sold to persons living in the neighbourhood and retailed by them at 1d. and 1½d. per loaf; whether the original cost to the War Office is at least 4d. per loaf; and whether he will take steps to inquire into and stop the waste going on at this camp?
§ Mr. TENNANTI have made such inquiry as is possible in the short time available, and cannot find that Army bread is being sold at Maresfield Camp in the way suggested by the hon. Member. 1758 Fuller inquiries are, however, being made, which will take a few days to complete. Instructions have already been issued to all commands to ensure careful utilisation of the soldiers' rations so as to prevent waste.
§ 88. Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that at Maresfield Camp, in Sussex, the War Office are paying to boys who formerly earned 10s. to 13s. a week wages averaging nearly £2 a week, and that carpenters are being paid by the War Office wages amounting to £4 6s. a week; and, seeing that the standard rate for carpenters is 30s. to £2 a week, whether he can give any reason for paying wages so disproportionate to that standard?
Mr. BAKERThe agents, Messrs. Willett, are conforming to the London Labour Union rates and system of pay, as a large proportion of their labour comes from London. I am not clear as to how the hon. Member arrives at the amounts stated in his question. At the union rates it is possible for a carpenter working a seventy-hour week to earn £3 14s. 3d. and a boy £1 7s.