§ Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) what sum of the £30,000 Canteens Improvement Fund has been expended on Admiralty property; and why this expenditure from the men's fund was accepted when the money could have been obtained from the Navy Votes passed by this House;
(2) if his attention has been called to the Report of the 19th Men's Canteen Committee meeting held on 25th April, 1924, and to the fact that part of the £30,000 Canteen's Improvement Fund has been expended in Admiralty property;
2352Wworks department of the several home dockyards are as follow:
and what steps it is proposed to take in order that the sum so expended may be refunded to the men, who now require the money for the furnishing of personal comforts in their messes and conteens?
§ Mr. AMMONThis fund is not administered by the Admiralty, but is expended by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in accordance with the wishes of the men of the Fleet, as decided by their authorised representatives. The amount allocated for the improvement of buildings is, I understand, approximately £8,000, but this expenditure could not have been made from Navy Votes in the current financial year, and owing to the necessity for economy in Navy Estimates it is unlikely that the money could have been found from public funds in future years. The Admiralty do not, therefore. propose to take any steps in the matter.