§ SIR HERBERT MAXWELLasked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, In what respect the tins in which "the bulk of the Australian tinned meat comes to this Country" is unsuited for field service; whether, in the event of the Colonial tins being as suitable as the Ame- 806 rican, the price not greater and the quality equal, preference is given to supplies raised on British territory; what was the relative amount of American and Colonial tinned meat used in the Army during 1882, 1883, and 1884; and, whether tenders have been invited from Australasian and other British Colonies?
§ MR. BRANDAustralian meat usually comes in large tins of cylindrical form, whereas for close packing the tins should be four-sided and tapering. Preference would be given, under the conditions the hon. Member names, to supplies raised on British territory, provided the Colonial meat is at the time in England. The relative amount of American and Colonial tinned meat used in the Army was, in round numbers, in l882, 475,000 lbs. American, and no Colonial; in 1883, 150,000 lbs. American, and 120,000 lbs. Colonial; in 1884, 3,465,000 lbs. American, and 648,000 lbs. Colonial. Tenders have been called for from the agents in this country of producers in the Colonies.