§ 36. Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the payment of 5 per cent. to the ship's fund on the value of goods purchased from the shore for general messes has been abolished; whether he is aware that this rule was enforced when petty officers and men were victualled themselves on the standard-ration system; and whether, in view of the fact that it only costs 1s. 4d. per day to victual ratings on the general messing system, he will re-impose the 5 per cent. in order that the ship's funds shall not be at a loss through the paymaster in charge of general messes refusing to deal at the naval canteens?
§ Mr. G. HALLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is not proposed to depart from the decision which was arrived at after full consideration of all the circumstances.