§ MR. W. RAYMOND GREENE (Cambs, Chesterton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether a certain percentage of foreign imported forage is supplied for the consumption of the horses of Her Majesty's Forces; and whether in future forage contracts Her Majesty's Government will still reduce the quantity supplied, and substitute home-produced forage therefor?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordForage is contracted for according to standards of quality without reference to sources of supply, and it is not known what percentage may be of foreign growth. I may state, however, that in ordinary years the hay and straw has been mainly of home growth. With a view to encouraging local supply, arrangements have, in certain cases, been made for 887 purchasing forage locally, instead of from contractors. The extension of this system will be considered.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)How is the hon. Gentleman able to say that the hay and straw is home grown, since he has no means of ascertaining its origin? [Laughter.]
§ * MR. BRODRICKThe Reports at our disposal point to the fact that a considerable amount of hay arid straw is produced in this country.