26. Captain O'NEILLasked the Secretary of State for War whether formations-with the British Armies in France are prohibited from purchasing articles for sale in their canteens from sources other than the Expeditionary Force canteens; and if so from what date this prohibition has been operative; by what Government Department the Expeditionary Force canteens in France are administered; what profits, if any, were made by these canteens for the last period as to which accounts have been presented; and to what purpose such profits have been or will be devoted?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir; the Order in question was made by desire of the General Officer Commanding - in - Chief British Armies in France, and has been in force since 7th August last. The Expeditionary Force canteens are controlled by a Committee acting with the authority and under the supervision of the Army Council. The whole of the profits will be devoted to the benefit of the soldier.
§ Mr. ASHLEYAs a possible £800,000 will be drawn from the pocket of the private soldier this year, will the hon. Gentleman see that the private soldier, by some means, is consulted as to the disposal of this money?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have just said that the profits will be devoted for the benefit of the soldier.
§ Mr. MALCOLMMay I ask whether the Y.M.C.A. canteens and the V.A.D. canteens are accounted as belonging to the Expeditionary Force?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo.
Captain O'NEILLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in France, amongst, at any rate, some divisions, there is dissatisfaction at the fact of the very large profits made by the Expeditionary Force canteens, profits which, under the former regulations, when divisions ran their own canteens, would have promptly gone for the benefit of those divisions?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, I know of the feeling in France. There are special reasons which prompted the Commander-in-Chief to give this order. I shall be very happy to explain to the hon. and gallant Gentleman if he cares to hear them.