§ 107. Major BREESEasked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been reached for the allocation of the accumulated funds of the Army and Navy Canteen Board; and if it is proposed to make grants to associations of ex-Service men to enable immediate progress to be made in the provision of club premises?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe matter is still under consideration.
§ Mr. HOGGEBefore any decision is arrived at will the right hon. Gentleman communicate particulars to the House of Commons?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. It is for the Government to make up its mind and state its policy to the House of Commons.
§ Mr. HOGGEThat is what I am asking, if my right hon. Friend will submit a scheme before the money which has accumulated to this fund can be spent?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI shall make proposals in due course, and I shall carry them out unless I am prevented from doing so by an expression of opinion by the House of Commons.
§ Colonel WEIGALLAs the matter has been going on for over a year, how soon may we expect a decision will be arrived at?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI do not think the matter has lost by the consideration which has been given to it. I am very anxious to hear the views of the different societies and associations involved, but I quite recognise that the time is now approaching when a definite scheme should be placed before Parliament.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre soldiers and ex-soldiers being fully consulted as to the disposal of the money?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are a great many soldiers and ex-soldiers, and I do not know what "fully consulted" would mean.