HC Deb 02 May 1944 vol 399 c1181
25. Mr. A. Edwards

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Army, unlike the R.N. and the R.A.F., has no benevolent fund.

Sir J. Grigg

The Army, unlike the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, is built up from regiments and corps, each of which has its own charitable fund. I have under consideration however the question of creating a central Army Benevolent Fund to receive donations for the Army generally and to apply them to the assistance of existing funds.

Mr. Edwards

When the Minister comes to consider this Fund, will he be quite sure in his own mind that it will not cause the wildest inflation?

Mr. Gallacher

Why should there be a benevolent fund for the Army?

Brig.-General Clifton Brown

Is it not true that almost all regiments and corps in the Army have benevolent associations of their own recognised by the War Office and helped by them?

Sir J. Grigg

That is certainly what my answer was intended to convey.