§ 28. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the salt pork and pea soup ration of naval ratings has been abolished; whether he is aware that on the occasions when this ration was issued to the men it was appreciated as a welcome change of diet; and, seeing that naval ratings do not wish the ration abolished or restricted, will he say on whose advice the rations are to be discontinued, and if the lower deck was consulted?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe removal of salt pork from Navy rations is a natural result of the increased facilities which exist, under present-day conditions, for the issue of fresh and frozen meat; and on the rare occasions on which recourse is necessary to substitutes, tinned meats, both on grounds of economy and palatability, are to be preferred. The opinions obtained from the Fleet, both at home and abroad, were overwhelmingly in favour of abolishing the salt pork ration.
§ Sir B. FALLEDid those opinions come from the ower deck or from the officers? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the men prefer salt pork, and especially the pea-soup ration?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACan the hon. Gentleman say what economies have been effected by these changes in the diet?