§ Major COPEasked the Secretary of State for War whether, as the canteens of the Navy and Army Canteen Board are 626W casualties in all theatres during the period of the War:
being discontinued in places where they had been established outside camp areas, the retail store situated in the centre of the town of Aldershot is to be discontinued; and whether he is aware that there is actual evidence that persons other than officers, men, and their wives and families have been supplied by this store 2
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONIn answer to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave on the 10th March to the hon. and gallant Member for East Leyton (Lieut.-Colonel Malone). With regard to the second part, the hon. and gallant Member no doubt alludes to the fact that, in addition to the officers and men and their wives and families, a certain limited number of civilians permanently employed on military services in barracks or camps or on War Department property were, if recommended by the Commanding Officer of the unit concerned, permitted to deal at the store in question. Such persons were provided with a written pass signed by the Secretary, Navy and Army Canteen Board, which they were required to produce when making purchases, and every precaution was taken to ensure that this privilege was not abused.