§ 23. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of Slate for Air what action he proposes to take in respect of the complaint of bad food and the conditions in the Royal 1634 Air Force canteen in Nicosia, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Mr. W. J. Taylor)The building in question is a temporary one which we hope to give up early next year. It is not ideal, but I cannot agree that the food or the conditions are bad. I am writing to the hon. Member about the detailed complaints in his letter.
§ Mr. DoddsWhile thanking the hon. Gentleman for part of what he said about building, may I ask whether he can say why Service men in Cyprus continue to be served week after week with dehydrated potatoes that are most unpalatable?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is a matter trespassing on the next Question.
§ Mr. SpeakerI hope that I was not wrong in thinking that what the hon. Member appeared to be asking seemed to be trespassing on the next Question. I did not have much time to think about it, but if it is so, his supplementary question is out of order.
§ Mr. DoddsI should like to put it to you, Mr. Speaker, that in my letter to the Secretary of State for Air I particularly complained about the serving up of powdered "Pom" week after week.
§ Mr. SpeakerHowever delightful is the phraseology in the hon. Member's letter, his supplementary question is out of order because it anticipates the next Question.
§ Mr. DoddsOn a point of order. I am asking about food. If it is necessary in future that I stipulate all the items that I want to raise on the Order Paper may I take that I shall be permitted to do so? As I have said, I am talking about food and, believe it or not, Mr. Speaker, powdered "Pom" is looked upon as food.
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot adapt the rules of the House to each individual Member. Mr. Gresham Cooke.