31. Colonel HOPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the £163,000 transferred from the late Board of Control of Regimental Institutes to the Army Canteen Committee was derived largely from profits on purchases by men now at the front, and as units at the front have no source of income for their regimental funds, he will consider making a grant from this £163,000 to units at the front for the local purchase of fresh vegetables and other objects for the benefit of the men?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for East Belfast on 2nd August. My hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that no units at the front have any source of income for regimental funds, and it is not at present considered advisable to make a Grant of the kind which he suggests. Fresh vegetables are, whenever procurable, provided as a part of the Service ration.
Colonel HOPEIf it is not possible to buy fresh vegetables locally, could the regiments not have the money to purchase supplementary rations?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think that is very desirable.
§ Mr. G. D. FABERIn whose possession is the £163,000?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt has accumulated under the management of the Board of Control of Regimental Institutes, but now the management of the canteen business has been transferred to the Army Canteen Committee. The £163,000 is in course of being transferredߞI cannot say whether it has actually been transferredߞto the Army Canteen Committee.
§ Mr. FORSTERSpeaking from memory, I think they get a rebate on the amount of purchases of mess supplies carried out is the canteens.
§ Mr. J. SAMUELWill the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of spending this money on temperance huts?