§ Sir J. Mellorasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state, with reference to the substitution, as from 28th December, 1940, of a cash allowance for other ranks in place of certain items of food previously issued to all ranks in kind, the grounds upon which officers have been excluded from receiving since that date either those items in kind or the cash allowance in lieu of them?
§ Captain MargessonWhen in 1937 an improvement in the Army ration was made so as to provide the soldier with a supper meal, it was not considered necessary to make similar provision for the officer, whose daily meals are differently arranged and who has always been expected to contribute towards his messing from his pay. In June last, a service ration in kind was introduced for the Army at home and it was not practicable to differentiate between officers and men in the quantities issued. When the change was made to which my hon. Friend refers, the reason for giving the same ration to all ranks disappeared.