§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that efforts have been made by Fleet representatives to the quarterly meetings of the Headquarters Naval Canteen Committee to ascertain the salary paid to the professor of publicity of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes without success; and whether, in view of the fact that the lower deck are alarmed at the cost of administration of the naval canteen service, of which they are shareholders, the Admiralty will accord them shareholders' rights and obtain this information?
Mr. DAVIDSONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on the 4th March. I may add that, although the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes exist for the benefit of the men of the three Services, it is, of course, technically incorrect to describe them as shareholders or as having shareholders' rights.
527W
§ Sir B. FALLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the statement of the duties contained in paragraph 4, page 2, of the Handbook of Instructions for Naval Canteen Committees, issued with the permission of the Admiralty, whereby the home ports representative will pay periodical visits to shore canteens with a view to making any recommendations that may tend to their improvement, the representative will be free to make suggestions, whether or not they meet with the approval of the board of management, as otherwise his appointment is rendered valueless so far as the petty officers and men of the Navy are concerned?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe representative referred to is under the orders of the naval officer in charge of the naval section, and he is free to make any suggestion to this officer.