§ 33. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for War why officers are not permitted to draw the same rations as other ranks; and whether the supper element of 2½d. a day can be granted to officers as in the case of other ranks?
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe cash allowance of 2½d., which is not a supper element, is given to other ranks in money instead of kind with a view to enabling the unit to introduce more variety in the ration. Similar provision is, however, not made for officers whose practice it has always been to contribute towards their messing from their pay.
§ Mr. BellengerDoes not that answer indicate that officers are not receiving the same rations either in cash or in kind as the men, and why should that be in wartime?
§ Mr. HendersonThe explanation is that which is contained in the latter part of my original answer.