HC Deb 19 December 1941 vol 376 cc2227-8
4. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the sum per month allotted by the War Office to the Army Welfare Fund for each county for the provision of sports equipment, comforts, furniture and necessities for troops stationed in the county area?

Mr. Sandys

Welfare funds are allotted to General Officers Commanding Home Commands in proportion to the number of men under their command. The total sum allotted for this purpose in the current financial year amounts to £70,000. There is also a grant of £5,000 to the Director of Voluntary Organisations to assist in the provision of wool to be knitted by these organisations into comforts for the troops. In addition a special grant is made in order to provide extra amenities for Auxiliary Territorial Service personnel who are posted to anti-aircraft units. Welfare funds are not intended to be spent on necessities, which are a normal Army provision.

Sir A. Knox

Does the hon. Member realise that the allowance of the War Office to the Welfare Fund in one county that I know of amounts only to £10 per month, which is absolutely inadequate to provide real necessities for the anti-aircraft troops, who have no regimental funds such as well established units have? Is it not urgently necessary to increase this amount? Some counties are very generous, but others are not, and the men are suffering.

Mr. Sandys

I think the hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. The Welfare Funds are not in the main provided through the Territorial County Associations, but, as I said in my answer, are provided through the General Officers Commanding in each of the Home Commands.

Sir A. Knox

But in the county of Berkshire they get only £10. The welfare officer has only £10 a month to spend. Apart from that, they depend upon charities, and a lot of these units have not even chairs.

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that is the case.