§ 43. Mr. GROVESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number and character of ships of the Fleet on which is installed a soda-water fountain; who installed the fountains and what is the price the mineral is retailed at; and whether he will arrange to have such apparatus fitted to all the ships of the Fleet?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lieut.-Colonel Head lam)Soda fountains are not installed by the Admiralty, but are regarded as part of the Canteen arrangements. The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes have installed machines in some sixty ships of all classes, and it has been ascertained from that Corporation that the drinks are retailed at an all-round price of 1d. per glass. There are other installations which have not been provided by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, but they are comparatively few in number. It is the practice for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to provide soda fountains when desired by the ship's company and space permits.