§ 80. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Secretary of State for War why there is different treatment meted out to officers and families, compared to other serving men in the British Army on the Rhine in Germany; why some are allowed electricity night and day, while others are restricted to its use between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.; why some are allowed ample accommodation, while others pay for type A and B; and why some are not allowed fresh vegetables.
§ Mr. M. StewartOfficers, other ranks and their families in married quarters 163W pay for all the electricity which they consume; men living in barracks are subject to normal Army discipline and the wishes of a few must be subordinated to the good of the majority and the interest of the service. It is for this reason that lights are turned out at a specified time which is left to the discretion of the Commanding Officer.
Married officers and other ranks serving in all parts of the world are entitled to accommodation, the scale of which varies according to their status and is laid down by regulation. All married officers and other ranks in married quarters pay rent for their accommodation. In principle, rent is related to the officers' or soldiers' pay and allowances and not directly to the accommodation provided, but some concessions are made where the quarters provided are much below the standard of entitlement.
No discrimination is made between officers and other ranks or families so far as rations are concerned. The present B.A.O.R. scales provide for the regular issue of fresh vegetables, although it may be necessary to make occasional issues of tinned vegetables so as to effect turnover of reserve stocks, or when fresh vegetables are temporarily unobtainable; if such issues are made, all officers, other ranks and families receive them.