HC Deb 23 March 1920 vol 127 cc227-8
26. Colonel NEWMAN

asked whether it is the intention of the Army and Navy Canteen Board to establish or finance retail establishments in towns where soldiers or sailors are stationed for the supply of all articles required by officers, men, and their dependants; and whether the Canteen Board was set up as a war measure and financed by the taxpayers' money?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

In answer to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on Tuesday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Llandaff and Barry. With regard to the latter part of the question, the Navy and Army Canteen Board was set up as a permanent organisation, and was partly financed by loans advanced by the Treasury at interest; these loans have since been repaid.