§ 50. Mr. BRIANTasked the Prime Minister what is the total amount in the Canteen Fund; what scheme, if any, is suggested for its use; if he will appoint a Committee of the House to consider and report as to the best method of using the funds for the benefit of those who provided it?
§ 111. Major WHELERasked the Secretary of State for War the total amount of the United Services Fund and the amount that is to be handed over to Lord Byng?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMy right, hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I would refer to the full answer which I gave 928 yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Aberdeen Central. The United Services Fund, 29, Cromwell Road, S.W.7, of which Lord Byng is chairman, was formed by Royal Charter for the purpose of administering the share allotted to the Imperial troops in the profits derived from Canteen trading during the War.
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONMy hon. Friend had better address that question to Lord Byng.
§ Major MACKENZIE WOODIs there any ground for the suggestion that it is intended to take the surplus profits from the Expeditionary Force Canteen and apply them to wiping out the deficit incurred in the working of the Navy and Army Canteen Board?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThat does not arise out of the question, but if the hon. and gallant Gentleman puts down a question I will answer it.
§ Sir R. ADKINSIs there no Member of this House to whom a question can be addressed as to the use to which this surplus shall be applied?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe whole object in placing this under Royal Charter was to allow those in whose hands it was placed discretionary power: there is no one in the House who can answer the question; my hon. Friend can obtain an answer from the United Services Fund quite as well as we can.