§ CAPTAIN DONELANI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that at some of the Military stations in Ireland the troops are largely rationed on foreign meat; whether the contracts entered into with victuallers in Ireland contain any conditions limiting the proportion of foreign meat; and, whether these conditions equally apply to all Irish garrisons?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.I have already more than once stated that a certain proportion of foreign meat is supplied at a few stations in Ireland, but not in excess of the proportion laid down in the contracts, which are the same for all stations both in Ireland and in Great Britain. I may repeat that the Question of the supply of meat to the troops is engaging the attention of the Secretary of State.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANCan you say what are the relative proportions of foreign and home grown meat at present supplied?
MR. POWELL - WILLIAMSNo, Sir; it is impossible to answer that Question, because you cannot distinguish between what is home grown and what is foreign; but the contractor is obliged to supply in certain proportions fresh and frozen meat.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANCan you say what penalties attach to the breaking of 172 those conditions of the contract, and whether they have ever been enforced?
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSThere is no penalty; but if the contract was broken it would be terminated at once.
§ MR. PAULTON (Durham, Bishop Auckland)May I ask whether, in the opinion of the War Office, it is impossible to distinguish between foreign and home grown meat?
MR. POWELL-WILLIAMSI may say, in relation to dead meat, if it is in a good condition, no one can tell whether it is produced here or abroad.