HC Deb 30 March 1943 vol 388 cc17-8
15. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been reached concerning the implementation of the recommendation of the Select Committee on National Expenditure regarding the attachment of representatives from the ranks to the headquarters of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes?

Sir J. Grigg

The recommendation referred to by my hon. Friend was carefully considered at the time. It was agreed that other ranks should be given fuller opportunities to make their wishes known on N.A.A.F.I. questions. The system in force in the Navy for securing this is, however, unworkable in the Army owing to the large number of units in all parts of the country. In July of last year instructions were therefore issued reconstituting the regimental and command institute committees and forming new committees at the headquarters of corps districts and districts or areas. The members of the regimental committees are composed of other ranks chosen by the men themselves; the members of the other committees are other ranks elected by the regimental committees. Thus the committees are now entirely representative of the other ranks including the A.T.S. The regimental meetings are presided over by the president of the regimental institutes, the others by the officer in charge of administration. The appropriate local N.A.A.F.I. representative is in attendance at these meetings.

Mr. Bellenger

While I thank my right hon. Friend for that information, does he realise that this does not really solve the problem which is put in my Question? The regimental institutes have very little control, if any, over N.A.A.F.I. and therefore will he not reconsider this Question and try to implement the suggestion made by a Select Committee of this House?

Sir J. Grigg

I hoped that I had already explained that it is not really practicable in wartime, in view of the very large number of units, to carry out in its literal form the recommendation of the Select Committee. I believe I am right in saying that the revised proposals here have been explained to the Select Committee.