13. Mr. Astorasked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the unsatisfactory conditions of the canteens in India under the present system, he will appoint officers from outside to make a report and recommendations, and communicate the same to this House.
§ Mr. AmeryI have already asked for a report from the Government of India and I see no reason to appoint officers from outside to report on a matter which is within the competence of the Government of India and the Commander-in-Chief. I wish to make it clear that, in asking for a report, I in no way associate myself with the view that the canteen system in India is inefficient or incompetent. On the contrary, when regard is had to the difficulties in obtaining stores both from the United Kingdom and United States of America and to the strain put upon the organisation by the great expansion of the forces in India, I consider that remarkably good work has been done in this connection.
Miss WardDoes my right hon. Friend think that a 48 per cent. charge on goods going into India for our troops is really efficient, or that it operates satisfactorily?