HC Deb 27 January 1942 vol 377 cc585-6W
Sir R. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that it is the custom for officers joining certain regiments to be required, after the lapse of a few months, to make a substantial contribution towards the mess as an institution; whether this is in accordance with War Office policy; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this practice weighing heavily on officers without private means?

Captain Margesson

The customary joining contributions laid down in King's Regulations have been placed in abeyance for the duration of the war, but officers are required to pay ordinary mess subscriptions for the current maintenance and incidental expenses of their mess. If my hon. Friend will let me know of any case where an undue contribution appears to have been levied for this purpose, I will gladly have it investigated.