§ Sir W. Smithersasked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to cut down food waste at camps, and to improve the cooking and preparation of the food?
§ Sir Smedley Crookeasked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the waste of good human food which is placed in swill tubs for pigs at a military camp in the Midlands; whether, in view of the Minister of Food's appeal for economy in foodstuffs, he will have a strict inquiry made into the matter and also issue urgent instructions to messing officers to make their inspection more intense in order to prevent this waste in the future?
§ Captain MargessonI would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds) on 10th December last, of which I am sending them copies. I am well aware of the complaints that have been made, and we are constantly endeavouring to eliminate waste. Inspectors and catering advisers have been appointed in Commands, and additional inspectors are being trained so that regular inspection of unit cookhouses may be made. Specialist messing officers have been posted to all large training units, and regimental officers have, since the beginning of the war, been receiving instruction at special centres throughout the country. I think that by430W these measures considerable improvement has been, and is being, effected.