§ 31. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for War on what terms as regards salary, pension, and termination of employment by notice on either side have Sir Alexander Prince and Mr. Benson joined the Canteen Management Committee, will the money for financing the new scheme by the Treasury be a debt repayable by the Canteen Committee or a free Grant; will he undertake that no officer who holds or has held a commission in the Army will be appointed to any position of emolument in connection with the new scheme of canteen management; and, having regard to the financial and other interests involved in the scheme, will he provide an opportunity for discussion of the subject in this House before the scheme comes into operation?
§ Mr. FORSTERAs the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kirkcaldy was informed yesterday, we are not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject. I may, however, state that any money advanced by the Treasury will be by way of loan, and not by Grant.
§ Mr. McNEILLWill the hon. Gentleman say whether the matter will be open to discussion in this House before the scheme is brought into operation?
§ Mr. FORSTERI cannot say whether it will be before a start is made, but, as the Secretary of State for War said yesterday, if there is any general desire to discuss it an opportunity will be given.
§ 36. Colonel CROFTasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to General Routine Order No. 1730 with reference to canteens in France; whether he is aware that owing to divisional canteens having to purchase through the Expeditionary Force Canteens the cost of articles such as biscuits, cigarettes, tinned fruits, etc., is approximately doubled and the increased cost falls on the soldiers in France; that perishable goods such as sponge sandwiches, jam rolls, etc., cannot be purchased fresh unless consigned direct to the coffee-bar canteens; that these divisional canteens have made considerable contracts running into several hundred pounds sterling per week, and that the contracting firms demand notice for termination of these large contracts; and if, under the circumstances, he can cause reconsideration of this Order in view of these facts?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Mid-Antrim. The new system was introduced at the desire of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief the British Armies in France, and the points mentioned in the question were no doubt considered.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWhy should troops have to pay, not 20 per cent. more than they have had to pay formerly but up to 45 per cent. or 50 per cent?
§ Mr. FORSTERFor reasons which have been partly given and partly hinted at the General Officer came to the conclusion that it was necessary that these purchases should be made by the Expeditionary Force canteens.
§ Colonel CROFTWill my hon. Friend inquire into this matter again because it is an absolute fact that in many cases to my knowledge something like 100 per cent. more has been paid by soldiers for the few luxuries which they can get?
§ Mr. FORSTERI have inquired very closely into it. I shall be very happy to 1398 discuss it with my hon. and gallant Friend, and if he is not satisfied he can put down a further question.
§ Mr. J. SAMUELWhen foods are imported into France for consumption in these canteens do they pay the tax or tariff in France?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, they do not.