MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether he can state the average annual amount for the past five years paid by the Treasury for supplies of foreign meat, corn, hay, and straw imported from other countries for the use of Her Majesty's troops and horses; and whether it is the intention of the Government to support and continue this system?
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSIt has been repeatedly explained that the amount paid for foreign meat and forage cannot be stated, inasmuch as in the contracts for meat a collective price is paid, the contractor being at liberty to supply foreign meat up to (50 per cent. of the whole; while in forage contracts a standard of quality is fixed, but the place of origin is not inquired into. As previously stated, the question of continuing the present system is under consideration.