§ 10. Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will state the total saving effected on the average overhead rate authorised for general messes during the year 1921; whether such amount accrued to the Crown; and whether, since it would be a more equitable arrangement for money saved on the victualling of the men of the Royal Navy to be devoted to their interests, he will make an arrangement for that purpose?
§ Mr. AMERYAs regards the first part of the question, the men are messed by the Admiralty at such cost as will enable a good and sufficient dietary to be pro- 333 vided. There is no money allowance personal to the man, and the question of savings and their disposal does not, therefore, arise. The overhead rate, as authorised from time to time, to be worked to by the officers in charge of the general messes, is intended merely as an index figure of the maximum amount which the daily cost of messing a man under this system should average over a period.