MR. J. B. SMITHsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer—it having been given in evidence before the Select Committee on the Metropolitan Foreign Cattle Market Bill that the provisions of that measure would have the effect of considerably raising the Government Contracts for the supply of cattle for the Army and Navy, and thus of increasing the Army and Navy Estimates, Whether there would be any objection to providing that foreign cattle, whether imported into London or any other port, may be forwarded alive, on the same conditions as English cattle, to Aldershot, Portsmouth, and Chatham, and other military and naval establishments, with the sanction of the Privy Council?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he thought the Question of the hon. Member rather tended to anticipate the discussion which would probably arise on the first Order of the Day. As he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) understood it, the evidence of the Government contractors was that they would be able to supply dead meat at Aldershot cheaper than live meat. He did not think this was a convenient time for discussing contradictory opinions on the point.