§ 41. Viscount WOLMERasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statements contained in Command Paper 1717, War Service Canteens, that the Navy and Army Canteen Board have, since 1st May, 1919, lost in trading the sum of £2,469,370 out of the profits and assets of the Expeditionary Force Canteens, which Lord Kitchener in 1915 had promised should be entirely devoted to the benefit of ex-service men and their dependants, he will order a public investigation to be made into the circumstances under which this property was handed over to the Navy and Army Canteen Board, and into the conduct and administration of the Navy and Army Canteen Board?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Lieut.-Colonel Sir. R. Sanders)I have been asked to answer this question. I would ask my Noble Friend to await the Debate to-morrow on the War Service Canteens (Disposal of Surplus) Bill.
§ Viscount WOLMERIs the hon. Baronet aware of the very grave allegations that are made in this week's "Truth" as to the embezzlement of a large portion of this money, and can we obtain an undertaking from the Government that there will not be an attempt to rush this Bill through before the facts have been sifted?