Major Thomton-Kemsleyasked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he can give estimates of the cost of new construction or requisitioning, the number of cooks, orderlies and batmen, the extra consumption of fuel and light, respectively, which will be necessitated by the proposal that officers on the staffs of all static formations in Home Commands shall be accommodated in messes; and whether he will issue immediate in- 2299W structions not to proceed with the proposals until their effect on the man-power situation and on the question of fuel economy has been fully considered;
(2) how many formations in Home Commands are affected by the instruction that all static formations should have messes and that all officers should normally live therein; and what are the reasons for a decision which appears wasteful of man-power and materials, including mess furniture and equipment, which will cost an appreciable amount of money and causes irritation and resentment in the Army and dismay on the part of occupiers of premises likely to be forcibly requisitioned?
§ Sir J. GriggI am inquiring into this matter and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.