§ 29. Captain SHEEHANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether non-commissioned officers and men—as, for example, Army masseurs assisting in hospital work—who are not rationed by their units, and who are compelled to 968 ration themselves because of defective health on a special dietary medically prescribed, receive only the usual ration allowance of 1s. 9d. per day; that they cannot draw these specially prescribed rations from Army stores as they are not obtainable there; that the cost is in excess of the 1s. 9d. daily ration allowance; and, seeing that these non-commissioned officers and men continue to serve their country, although suffering from complaints which require special dieting and treatment, will something be done to meet the extra cost to which they are put because of certain disabilities or ill-health contracted on service?
§ Mr. FORSTERWhen the hon. and gallant Member asked a similar question previously I said I should be glad to look into any particular case. Perhaps he could give me one or two concrete instances of men suffering in the way that he suggests.
§ Captain SHEEHANMay I call the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that in the question I have given particular instances of men who joined voluntarily early in the War who are now doing hospital work, and who suffer under the conditions stated in the question?
§ Mr. FORSTERWe are not able to identify them. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will inform me where they are employed, and I will look into the matter.