§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state the scale of rations being issued to Royal Air Force other ranks at Salalah, Aden Protectorate; what proportion of this is from old emergency ration packs; and why fresh meat, fresh potatoes, fresh fruit, coffee and cocoa are not provided.
Mr. WardThe scale of rations for all ranks at Salalah is the general Overseas Ration Scale, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. It is customary in all theatres to issue food periodically from emergency ration packs, in order to turn over supplies; at Salalah this is done on one day a month. Fresh commodities are provided at Salalah on the same scale as elsewhere overseas, except when bad weather interrupts air supply.
§ Commander Purseyasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that Royal Air Force other ranks at Salalah, Aden Protectorate, are having to spend money, both locally and by writing home, in order to obtain a sufficient and varied diet; and whether he will consider the payment of an extra allowance to this detachment to meet the special circumstances of the case.
Mr. WardSalalah is an isolated station 600 miles from Aden, and bad weather sometimes makes air supply of fresh foods impracticable. I do not at present see how a cash supplement would help matters; but I am considering whether any other measures should be taken to ensure a good standard of messing.