§ Sir E. STOCKTONasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the possibility of throwing open the catering at establishments like Cran-well to private tender; and, if not, whether he will do so to see whether any saving can thereby be effected on the present outlay?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe general experience of the unit messes of the Royal Air Force is that where a contractor is employed the cost of messing is slightly higher than where the unit itself manages the catering. At Cranwell there would be further difficulties in the way of the employment of a contractor in the shape of insufficiency of accommodation and the long breaks for holidays. I do not, therefore, think that economy would result from going to tender. I understand that at Woolwich and Sandhurst the system is similar to that now existing at Cranwell.