§ 79. Mr. WATTasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what are the arrangements made by his Department as to the messing of the officers of the various units still at Home, with particular reference to the Flying Corps; do the officers provide their own meals and pay for them out of their allowances or does his Department pay direct for such meals; and is he aware of the absence of anything like wartime economy, which is shown both in the quantity and quality of these meals?
§ Mr. TENNANTOfficers of the Royal Flying Corps provide their own meals under conditions varying with the stations in which they happen to be serving. Every effort is made to keep the charge for messing within limits properly proportionate to the incomes of young officers. In cases where rations are not drawn in kind, officers pay for their own meals partly out of their own pockets and partly from their allowance in lieu of rations. In cases where rations are drawn, officers defray the expense of the meals from their own pockets. The average personal expense on account of food is 3s. per diem. The arrangements in other arms are similar, though the daily cost may vary.
§ Mr. TENNANTI think I have some knowledge of the force, but I have never heard of anything in the nature of eight-course dinners.