HC Deb 08 March 1920 vol 126 cc929-30W
Captain REDMOND

asked the Secretary of State for War whether full regimental messes have been established for battalions of the regiments of Foot Guards stationed in London; and whether, with a view to diminishing the expenditure necessarily incurred by officers, rations will be issued to the messes, as was done during the War, in respect of unmarried officers?

Sir A. WILLIAMSON

Owing to the general use always made of the Guards' Club, mess accommodation for Foot Guards Officers has never been provided on a full scale, but only for the small numbers taking their meals in barracks. There is at present mess accommodation as follows —

Chelsea Barracks, dining accommodation for 14 officers.

Wellington Barracks, dining accommodation for 16 officers.

Tower of London Barracks, dining accommodation for 18 officers.

Wimbledon Temporary Hutments. A hutted mess for each Battalion in occupation.

With regard to the second part of the question, rations in kind or allowances in lieu are issuable to all officers serving at home or abroad for each day in respect of which full pay is drawn, and if officers' messes elect to draw in kind there is nothing to prevent them doing so, provided, of course, that the allowances in lieu and in kind are not drawn concurrently in respect of the same officer.