HC Deb 14 December 1943 vol 395 cc1373-4
15. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Secretary of State for War why one-fifth of Army Form B55, which is the billeting notice in current use for soldiers, is devoted to the billeting of horses; and when a horse was last billeted?

Sir J. Grigg

As long as there are horses in the Army the Army must be able, if necessary, to billet them. The provisions for horses take only it lines on the normal billeting form. If these were removed a special form would have to be printed and issued to all those who might need them. Horses are billeted when occasion arises but without making extensive local inquiries I could not say when was the last occasion.

Sir J. Mellor

Is it really necessary to have all these details on the form? For instance, is it necessary to say that the manure remains the property of the War Department?

Sir J. Grigg

I daresay this form is an interesting survival, like many other things. I know too that there are mule companies, and I always understood that a mule is at any rate equal to half a horse.

16. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Secretary of State for War why Army Form B55 includes details of the pre-war scale of meals required by the Army Act for billeted soldiers; and when an Army billeting notice, appropriate to war conditions, will be devised?

Sir J. Grigg

The billeting form naturally quotes the provisions of the Army Act under which it is issued. But it explains that in practice, the quantities of nationally rationed articles of food (e.g., meat, bacon) supplied will be limited to those allowed by the soldier's ration card, and that the balance necessary to give a reasonable standard of feeding may be made up by other foodstuffs. Suitable substitutes may be provided for any other items of the scale which may be unobtainable or prohibitive in price. This seems to me the most appropriate way of meeting war conditions.

Sir J. Mellor

Could not all this out-of-date verbiage be cut out after four years of war and information which he really requires be given to the householder?

Sir J. Grigg

The form states the legal position, and I think it is much simpler, instead of printing an entirely new form, to stick on this temporary qualification of the legal position.