HC Deb 03 August 1944 vol 402 c1618W
Mr. Petherick

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the speed with which N.A.A.F.I. are establishing canteens in Normandy and with the services which they are rendering there.

Mr. A. Henderson

The movement of N.A.A.F.I. personnel and stores to any theatre of war is entirely under the control of the military authorities. It is obvious that in the early stages strictly operational requirements must have first priority. As far as N.A.A.F.I. is concerned, they were both prepared and willing to land in Normandy on D-Day. In Normandy, N.A.A.F.I. personnel were landed six days behind schedule owing to exceptional weather conditions, but they opened their service to the complete satisfaction of the military command. Through N.A.A.F.I. foresight and with the concurrence of the authorities, all units took with them special "canteen packs" for the initial period. These packs contained cigarettes, razor blades, soap, matches, boot laces, tooth paste, shaving cream and letter cards. They proved immensely popular, and when the few days' delay due to weather occurred, N.A.A.F.I. had additional supplies of these "canteen packs" in Normandy to cover this period. I am more than satisfied with the service N.A.A.F.I. gave in the initial stages and are giving in Normandy, and I am pleased to be able to have this opportunity of paying tribute to the N.A.A.F.I. staff who have achieved these results.