MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, whether he can give the proportion of frozen meat supplied to the troops at Aldershot during the months of June, July, August, and September of last year; whether he is aware that the authorities, after taking delivery of certain lots of frozen meat, it was subsequently condemned as unfit for consumption; whether losses fall on the Government or the contractor; and whether any similar loss has been reported regarding the supply of native meat?
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.No frozen beef was issued at Aldershot during the months in question. Of frozen mutton the extreme limit of issue was one-fourteenth of the whole meat supply. No losses occurred in respect of frozen mutton or of refrigerated beef; but 5,328 lbs. of home-killed beef became unfit for consumption during the very hot weather of last summer. The meat was received in good condition; but, owing to the manœuvres in progress, it had to be kept longer than was desirable and to be carried about from one camp to another, under which process it suffered deterioration. The loss might, by the terms of the contract, have been charged to the contractor; but, under the circumstances, it has been decided that the War Office shall bear it.