DR. CAMERONasked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether it is true that, while supplies purchased for the Army in London for special occasions, such as the Egyptian Campaign, are purchased and dealt with by civilian brokers, similar articles are purchased and passed at home and abroad, and under all other circumstances, by the Commissariat; and, whether the Director of Supplies, officially responsible for the purchase of the flour sent to Egypt, or the Commissary General, were consulted as to the recommendation of Messrs. Bovill that American flour should alone be sent out, or as to the mode in which it was to be shipped?
MR. BRANDSupplies purchased in London are obtained under the system in force in the London market. This system gives us the advantage of highly trained experts in the various branches 30 of trade. Under other circumstances, speaking generally, garrisons at home and abroad are supplied under periodical contracts. As a rule, these supplies are delivered direct to, and are inspected and passed by, the troops. But the contractor can appeal against a rejection to a Special Board, of which the Commissariat Officer, when available, is appointed a member. The officer acting as Director of Supplies dealt with the question of the purchase of flour for Egypt. It was never intended to depend solely on American flour. Local supplies were to be secured, and the shipment in question was only made to meet immediate wants on landing.