HC Deb 11 February 1898 vol 53 cc368-70
CAPTAIN DONELAN

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether he is aware that the troops stationed at Cork Harbour are at present exclusively rationed on foreign meat.

MR. BRODRICK

Under the Rules now in force 40 per cent. of the meat supplied to the troops must be fresh—i.e., home killed, but it is impossible to ascertain whether it is of British, or of foreign origin. The officer commanding has no power to reduce this proportion, and no steps are necessary for the purpose of enforcing compliance with the Rules. But we know that at certain stations only home-fed meat is supplied, and the troops at those stations form 36 per cent. of the force now in Ireland. The contract for the supply of the troops at Cork Harbour is governed by the Rules which I have described—a part of the fresh meat supplied is probably of home origin. As occasionally happens with meat contracts, some of the meat did not pass the inspectors, and was immediately replaced by the contractor by meat complying with the condition of the contract.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the condition of the original contract was for the exclusive supply of foreign meat, and during the first month of the contract foreign meat was supplied on no less than 51 occasions?

MR. BRODRICK

I am not aware that foreign meat was supplied on so many occasions, nor do I believe it was.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

May I ask whether it was to enable the whole of the meat supplied to be foreign?

MR. BRODRICK

The contract that was entered into was for a reasonable proportion of fresh and refrigerated meat, and I have previously stated whether or not the whole of the fresh meat was of home or foreign origin.

MR. LOWTHER

In what proportions was it—how much was foreign and how much was home?

MR. BRODRICK

I have explained. It is very clear. The contractor was permitted to supply not more than 60 per cent. of refrigerated meat, which was not always of foreign origin, and the additional 40 per cent. must be fresh meat.

MR. LOWTHER

In other words, 60 per cent. foreign and the remainder home.

MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS

It does not always follow. The contractor was not allowed to supply more than 60 per cent. of foreign meat, but in a great number of contracts the foreign meat actually supplied does not come up to that.

MR. LOWTHER

Arising out of the answer, may I ask whether the remaining 40 per cent. of fresh meat must necessarily be English?

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, North)

I should like to ask whether the foreigners who supplied the 60 per cent. of the meat provided 60 per cent. of the taxes of the country?