HC Deb 22 March 1922 vol 152 cc461-2
49. Sir A. HOLBROOK

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of setting up a special Committee, or Commission, to investigate into and report upon the State trading monopoly carried on by the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes against which protests have been made by chambers of commerce and trade throughout the country; and whether, if such Committee or Commission is set up, he will include in it an adequate representation of trading and commercial interests in the country with an independent chairman?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Lieut.-Colonel Sir R. Sanders)

I have been asked to answer this question. I can add nothing to the reply which I gave on the 21st ultimo to my hon. Friend the Member for South Wilts.

72. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to proceed with the projected Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, market, and store at Tidworth?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)

I understand that the board of management has erected a central store at Tidworth, but has no intention of opening a market there.

73. Viscount WOLMER

asked the Secretary of State for War how much money has been advanced for the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes from the ex-service men's fund?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

No money has been advanced for the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes from any ex-service men's fund. If, as I presume, my Noble Friend refers to the working capital of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, I would refer him to the reply which I gave on the 13th February to my hon. Friends the Members for Carmarthen and the Drake Division of Plymouth.

Viscount WOLMER

Cannot my right hon. Friend tell the House the amount that the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes have borrowed from this source in order to finance themselves?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

I have already told the hon. Member that the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes have not borrowed any money from ex-service men's funds, and I have referred him to an answer which shows exactly how they are financed.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

What is the object of these institutes?

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

The hon. Member surely knows that the Navy, Army and Air Force derive great benefit from these institutes.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these institutes sell ladies' underclothing and grand pianos?