asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the hardship felt by soldiers who are being treated for tuberculosis at the British Legion Sanatorium at Preston Hall, Maidstone, who are put by the authorities on civilian rations, but still, being soldiers, have none of the concessions granted to Service men in canteens, neither can they visit shops to supplement their food allowance; and will he take steps to remove this grievance.

The soldiers concerned are transferred to this hospital in order to receive specialised treatment with as little delay as possible, pending their discharge from the Army. I understand that they receive sweet and cigarette rations as soldiers. As this is a civil hospital, and the patients are fed under civilian arrangements, I regret that it would not be appropriate to establish a Service canteen there.