§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for War how many laundries have been installed at military centres; whether he is able to give any statement showing the financial result of the working of these laundries; and whether he is aware that the laundry set up in Bulford Barracks has not only proved unsatisfactory as regards the nature of the work performed, but that it is calculated that the loss on its working amounts to £100 per month, apart from the cost of military transport employed in collection and distribution?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSEight War Department laundries have been installed in the United Kingdom. Two of these are in the Irish command and will be closed down in the near future. The working of these laundries resulted in a saving during the financial year 1920–21 of, approximately, £30,000 as compared with contract work. I do not know on what basis the alleged loss of £100 per month at the Bulford laundry has been calculated, but I am aware that this laundry, which has been only recently established and which cannot yet be run at its full capacity owing to the temporary withdrawal of troops, did not work economically at first. Better results are now being obtained, and it is anticipated that this laundry, like, others, will prove a financial success.