§ Mr. KEIR HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether he is aware of the help being given in about 500 recruiting camps by the Young Men's Christian Association, mainly in the way of useful forms of education, healthy recreation, and the opening of popular refreshment rooms in which good wholesome food is supplied at moderate prices; whether he is aware that in some camps the refreshment rooms are prohibited through the opposition of the canteen contractor, who claims a monopoly in the canteen supplies; and what action he proposes taking to remove this embargo?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThe value of the work done by the Young Men's Christian Association in the camps is fully recognised. In so far as it includes the provision of refreshment rooms, it would necessarily cover, to some extent, the same ground as 809W that covered by the canteen. Arrangements are made at the discretion of the commanding officer, but in any event the Young Men's Christian Association is not debarred from pursuing its ordinary activities.