26. Mr. J. H UDSONasked the Secretary of State for Air on what basis the sum of £5 per month, referred to in the Duxford court martial of 8th November as the limit to be expended on wine in the individual mess bills of the officers of the Royal Air Force, is fixed; and whether or not it includes intoxicants other than wine?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Samuel Hoare)In reply to the first part of the question, the monthly limit of is fixed as a reasonable maximum when regard is had to the varying circumstances of officers and the amount of entertainment given by them. As regards the second part, the term "wine" as used for this purpose in the King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions for the Royal Air Force is interpreted as including all kinds of intoxicants.
Vice-Admiral Sir REGINALD HALLIs it not a fact that the £5 limit is the same in the Royal Air Force as in the Royal Navy?
§ Sir S. HOAREI am not quite sure, but I am certain that the figure was arrived at after consultation between the three Services.