§ Mr. GANZONIasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware that officers billeted in a victualling house can only draw an allowance of 2s. per day as against 3s. allowed to those billeted in private houses; whether he will give any reason for the difference; and whether, in view of the difficulty and impossibility of finding sufficient private billets for all officers in some towns where many troops are now quartered, he will recommend that the rate of 3s. a day be allowed in all cases?
Mr. BAKERThe rates to which the hon. Member refers are not allowances drawn by officers, but payments made to occupiers under the provisions of the Army Act. The reason for the difference is that it is the licensed victualler's ordinary business to lodge and feed strangers, and the obligation to take troops at the lower rate is a known condition of his licence.