HC Deb 21 July 1932 vol 156 cc2466-7

(1) The sums mentioned in Part I of the Schedule to this Act shall be deemed to have been lawfully distributed and disposed of.

(2) The sums mentioned in Part II of the Schedule to this Act shall be distributed and disposed of in the manner provided in the said Part II.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Lieut-Commander KENWORTHY

We do not want to obstruct the Bill, but I should like to take the opportunity of asking one question to which the right hon. Gentleman did not reply. It deals very much with the subject of the Clause, namely, the disposal of the sums derived from the canteens. The charge I brought against the Government, which up to now I stick to, because I have not heard a reply, is that the working capital for the peace-time Navy and Army Canteen Board organisation should have been supplied by the Army Fund and not out of these funds. It is catering for the new Army very largely, and the men who are entitled to the money are with the Army now. Otherwise, unless I can get a very good reason, I think it amounts to robbery.

Mr. MILLS

I must support the hon. and gallant Gentleman's protest. I do not think it ought to be disposed of like this. These are the moneys of the men who served, and although they may be demobilised now and in civil life, they are possibly in greater need of it than men who are receiving much more money now in times of peace. If it is allowed to go as it is, there will be much keener resentment than if there is some discussion or answer, or explanation.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON EVANS

There has been considerable discussion going on for the last three or four hours when I do not think the hon. Member was in the House. Had he been in his place, he would have heard the whole of these points discussed, except the one—[Interruption.] He would be in a better position to say that if he had listened to the discussion. There are other and more relevant points. Let me answer the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). I understand his point to be that the new Army, Navy and Air Force Institutes ought not to be financed out of moneys made during the War.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Part of the Navy and Army Canteen Board was formed before the Armistice was signed. The two sums ought to have been kept absolutely separate.

Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANS

The short answer to that is this. £7,200,000 is being paid over to the United Services Fund. That came from both organisations, the Expeditionary Force Canteens, and the Navy and Army Canteen Board. That is, in Sir William Plender's opinion, a fair and equitable settlement, and that is a conclusive answer to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question, unless some other fund is found by the Select Committee. So that the answer really is that those two funds are covered by the Plender Report.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his reply. I am only satisfied with it in so much that he has agreed to set up this Committee and I take the opportunity of thanking him for it. I may have appeared to be ungrateful when I made the constitutional argument against all stages, but I know everyone who has taken an interest in the matter will be most grateful for the offer and I am very glad it is not to wait till the Autumn Session.

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause 2 (Short Title) ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Schedule and Preamble agreed to.

Bill reported, without Amendment: to be read the Third time upon Monday next.