HC Deb 09 May 1924 vol 173 cc783-4W
Major HORE-BELISHA

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, with reference to the "Maine," whether the naval ratings on board are credited with the present Admiralty allowance of 2s. 3d. per day per man; if so, will he see that this is paid to the men direct so that they may victual themselves, and that cooking be done separately from the patients, observing that the mercantile crew have their own English cooks and separate galley; whether he is aware that under present conditions no monthly statement of mess accounts is either rendered or exhibited; will he see that any money which may have accrued in the past from savings on victualling be credited to the ratings concerned or to the mess; and whether there is any reason why a Navy, Army and Air Force institution canteen should not be established on board, from which ratings could buy provisions direct, considering that under present conditions these are apparently purchased in large quantities and kept for months in cold storage?

Mr. AMMON

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. The "Maine" is on the general mess system, under which the Admiralty provides full messing within a maximum overhead rate, which is at present 2s. 3d. a day. There is no personal money allowance, and consequently the question of savings does not arise. There is a Navy, Army and Air Force Institute canteen on board.