§ 37. Mr. Hewlettasked the Secretary of State for War which Service canteen and hostel organisations, other than N.A.A.F.I., are subsidised by his Department; and what is the amount of assistance in each case.
§ Sir J. GriggIn certain cases where canteens or hostels are provided by voluntary organisations at the specific request of the military authorities the War Department provides or pays for the necessary accommodation. In other cases certain running expenses are also borne by the Department in return for which the hostels may be used by the military authorities free of charge for billeting troops. About £150,000 was spent in this way from public funds during the past financial year, but I regret that further details are not readily available. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the organisations concerned.
§ Mr. A. EdwardsOn what conditions are special requests of this kind made?
§ Sir J. GriggI do not entirely understand the hon. Member's question. These are specific requests made by the military authorities, where canteens and hostels are specially needed in and near places such as railway stations. They have nothing to do with the ordinary N.A.A.F.I. canteens in units.
§ Following are the names:
- Church Army.
- Church of Scotland.
- Salvation Army.
- S.O.S. Society.
- The Knights of St. Columba.
- Toc H.
- Women's Voluntary Services.
- Y.M.C.A.
- Y.W.C.A.