§ 20 and 21. Major NEWMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) what is the general rule with regard to staff- 1523 sergeants or other non-commissioned officers who are allowed to live outside camp with their wives and families in respect of rations; have they the same privilege as commissioned officers and are allowed to draw rations from the camp to be consumed at home, or must they choose between drawing their rations and consuming them in camp, or else accept 7s. per week in lieu of rations and buy their rations in the town on the usual scale allowed by food ticket to the ordinary civilian; is the general Regulation on the subject carried out at Grantham Camp; (2)whether non-commissioned officers living out of camp are not given the privilege of drawing their rations and consuming them out of camp, but have instead to accept 7s. per week in lieu of rations and live on the civilian scale allowed by food tickets; whether, as a result, such non-commissioned officers can only obtain 15 ozs. of meat per week as against a soldier's ration of 70 ozs.; is he aware that in consequence it is difficult for a man engaged in physical instruction or who may be sent abroad at short notice to keep fit; and will the War Office issue instructions that the same privileges be accorded to non-commissioned officers as are given to commissioned officers in this matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERA soldier living with his family receives a consolidated money allowance to cover rations, lodgings, etc. When in receipt of this allowance, the soldier is not entitled to draw rations in kind. The question whether any alteration should be made in the existing Regulations or in the rate of the consolidated allowance is being considered.
§ Major NEWMANIs this rate 7s. per week?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo; there is a consolidated allowance, which, speaking from memory, amounts to 20s. or 21s. a week.