§ 14. Sir PHILIP RICHARDSONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, by order of the Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, London District headquarters, under date 17th March, 1924, one or more London hotels in the vicinity of Victoria station were placed out of bounds to all troops; and whether he will cause this and any other similar instructions to be so modified that Territorial soldiers proceeding to, or returning from, military exercises or shooting practices may obtain necessary and reasonable food and refreshment at hotels?
§ 15. Mr. GREENEasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to a communication made to the winter general meeting of the National Rifle Association on Monday, 28th February, to the effect that on 1020 a Sunday a party of Territorials belonging to a distinguished London unit, on returning hungry, thirsty, and tired from practising at Bisley, were refused refreshment at a hotel and a railway buffet on the ground that they were in uniform; and whether he proposes to take any action to prevent a recurrence of such incidents?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI will answer these questions together. Five hotels or public-houses in the vicinity of Victoria Station have been placed out of bounds for troops in uniform as undesirable, but I am unaware that any London railway station buffet has been so dealt with. I am satisfied that the military authorities were justified in placing the hotels or public-houses in question out of bounds. There is sufficient accommodation at Victoria Station and elsewhere in the neighbourhood for soldiers to obtain refreshment.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONCould the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when hotels are placed out of bounds by the military authorities, representations are also made to the police, on the ground that if a hotel is unsuitable for soldiers in uniform it is equally unsuitable for anybody else?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThe same thought occurred to me when I was considering the question this morning, and I am going to sec what steps ought to be taken in the matter.