§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in the supply of meat to troops at Home stations, separate contracts are not made for refrigerated meat and home-killed meat respectively; and, if so, why not; if he can state whether the proportion of refrigerated beef or frozen mutton issued to the troops at home stations from 1st October to 1st June is nearly 60 per cent., the maximum allowed, and what is the proportion from June to October]; if the ration is the same, three-quarters of a pound including bone, whether it consists of home-killed or refrigerated meat; how long this proportion of 60 per cent. of frozen meat has been sanctioned; and what is the amount of the saving in cost so effected?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) HanleySeparate contracts are not made for home-killed and for refrigerated meat. In calling for tenders it is intimated that from October to June 60 per cent. of the meat supplied may be refrigerated beef or, within prescribed limits, frozen mutton, and the prices tendered are regulated accordingly. It rests with the contractor to decide in what proportion to supply home-killed meat, provided that it may not at any time be less than 40 per cent. of the whole supply, and that the whole supply, whether home-killed or not, is up to the stipulated standard of quality. 780 The proportion of refrigerated or frozen meat actually supplied is not, therefore, recorded. From June to September no refrigerated beef may be issued; but the mutton issued, which may never exceed one-seventh of the whole issue, may be frozen mutton. No difference is made in the amount of the ration. The 60 per cent. of refrigerated and frozen meat has been the rule since 1890. The saving in cost must have been considerable; but various circumstances in connection with the supply render it difficult to apportion any particular amount of saving to the use of refrigerated meat.