§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the fact that the representatives of the lower deck for canteen matters have put forward a recommendation that the Navy should sever its connection with the Navy Army, and Air Force Institutes; whether the rank and file representatives of the Army and Air Force have been given similar facilities to those afforded to the lower deck to put forward their views with regard to the management and policy of the canteens which are provided for their convenience; and if he is prepared to establish a committee similar to that of which Lord Rotherham was chairman at the beginning of the late War, and in this manner bring into existence a system of canteen trading which shall be satisfactory to the men?
§ Mr. GWYNNEI have been asked to answer this question. I will look into the matters raised, and communicate privately with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) if he will give the number of employés in the printing works of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes and the amount paid in wages during the month of June; whether a list of the orders carried out during the 1763W last week in June can be furnished; if a statement of accounts can be furnished showing the income and expenditure of this branch of the business of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes for the month of June;
(2) if he is aware that private tradesmen were induced to build shops in the vicinity of Tidworth Barracks on the understanding that they would be permitted to supply the troops with any goods which might be required, which conditions did obtain for a considerable time; whether he is aware that, since the appearance of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes, regimental orders have been issued prohibiting messing officers and others to transact business with the private traders; if he is now prepared to allow these to enter into business competition with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes;
(3) if ladies' underclothing is still sold in the canteens of the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes; and, if so, whether it is regarded as a necessary of a soldiers' life?
(4) if he is prepared to relax the order that the messing officers at Tidworth Camp shall not purchase goods from the private tradesmen whose businesses are established in Station Road, Tidworth?
§ Mr. GWYNNEI will look into the matters raised in these questions, and will communicate privately with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.