asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what provision was made for the comfort and accommodation of men called up since September 2nd, 1939.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mobilisation Arrangements.
The provisions made for the comfort and accommodation of personnel called out since the 2nd September, 1939, on permanent service is similar in all respects to that made for members of the Reserve when called out for annual training and which has been found not to be unsatisfactory.
Is the Minister aware that there was an insufficiency of blankets to cover the men called up?
No complaint of that kind has reached me.
No complaint may have reached the Minister but is it a fact that condemned blankets, which had been used for blacking-out barrack-room windows, had to be torn asunder to cover the men when called up?
That is only another of the rumours that are circulating through the country.
Is the Minister satisfied with the food being given to members of the Volunteer force?
The food is of the same type as has been rationed to the Army since its establishment—in fact, it is better than it was some years ago.
Is the Minister sure of that?
All the Volunteers and Reservists are getting the same rations as the regular Army are getting.
Is there not a general complaint by the Volunteers about the scarcity of food?
I am not aware of that. I am aware that young fellows who are being brought into training, as these young men are, naturally develop appetites which they would not enjoy in the ordinary way. I may mention that there are canteens at which food is available at very cheap prices.
In the Minister's opinion, it may be reasonable to withhold from Parliament information as to the number of men mobilised but I should like to know if there is the same objection to informing Parliament of the number of blankets in the custody of his Department on the first week of this month.
So far as I am aware, four blankets are issued to each man. I think that that is sufficient, though I do not say so absolutely. They can be supplemented with great coats if the nights are colder than usual.
Were there four blankets for each man called?
Yes.
Four blankets were issued?
Yes.
Is the Minister sure of that?
I am stating what my information is.