HC Deb 06 February 1940 vol 357 cc15-6
11. Miss Ward

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the House a full statement on the activities of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute, its constitution, directors, financial organisation and profits for the latest available period; how such profits are distributed and what its reserves are, if any, and whether it has a State monopoly in supplying service canteens and their staffs?

Sir V. Warrender

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes provide for the Services a means of recreation and entertainment, and a canteen and restaurant service. In addition, they supply part of the messing requirements. They are incorporated under the Companies Acts, and have a council of 12 members and a board of management of six members. I will circulate a list of the members in the Official Report. Copies of the Articles of Association and the Annual Report and Accounts are in the Library.

The profits are entirely distributed for the benefit of the Services in the form of rebate or by provision of amenities and entertainment. The corporation is responsible for the provision of canteens in His Majesty's ships, and of canteen facilities to the Regular Army and Royal Air Force at all stations at home and overseas with the exception of India, and to units of the Territorial Army in peace at annual training when War Department buildings are used and an Institute building is provided. In war, the activities of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes are extended to cover all the armed forces, except in India.

Mr. Shinwell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the general manager of this organisation has a salary of £8,000 per annum; and will he include the figure in the statement which he proposes to circulate in the Official Report?

Sir V. Warrender

I could not answer that question without notice but I will let the hon. Gentleman have the information.

Mr. Shinwell

Will the right hon. Gentleman put it in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

Sir V. Warrender

It may not be possible in the time.

Following is the list:

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.

Appointed by Admiralty.

Rear-Admiral F. H. W. Goolden (Vice-President).

C. R. B. Lane, Esq., Director of Victualling, Admiralty.

Colonel A. P. Dawson, O.B.E., R.N.

Captain M. H. A. Kelsey, D.S.C., R.N.

Appointed by War Office.

General Sir Reginald S. May, K.C.B., K.B.E., C.M.G., D.S.O. (President).

Major-General T. S. Riddell-Webster, C.B., D.S.O.

Brigadier J. S. Wilkinson, D.S.O., M.C. Colonel M. Carr, M.C.

Appointed by Air Ministry.

Air Marshal Sir Charles Burnett, K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.

Air Vice-Marshal A. G. R. Garrod, O.B.E., M.C., D.F.C.

Air Commodore C. D. Breese, C.B., A.F.C.

Wing Commander E. G. Keeping.

Members of the Board of Management.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Murrough J. Wilson, K.B.E. (Chairman).

G. McKechnie, Esq., M.B.E. (Deputy-Chairman).

The Right Hon. Viscount Wolmer, M.P.

Paymaster Captain P. S. Strickland, R.N. (Representing the Royal Navy).

Major-General L. I. G. Morgan-Owen, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O. (Representing the Army).

Group Captain W. Millett, O.B.E. (Representing the Royal Air Force).