§ MR. MILDMAY (Devon, Totnes)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether certain of the contracts for the meat supply of the Army have been tendered for by a Chicago company exporting meat in a frozen or refrigerated condition; and, if 839 so, whether it is open to firms other than British to tender for the supply of meat for Her Majesty's forces?
MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)also had on the Paper this Question—To ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the meat contract for all the troops in Great Britain except Aldershot has been given to an American firm; and, if go, what is the reason?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.The tender of a foreign contractor for the supply of meat to the Army would not be accepted. The firm to which the Questions relate is probably the Swift Beef Company, of 64, West Smithfield, which is a limited company registered in England. This company have secured contracts for the partial supply of meat in four districts, their tenders having been the lowest.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Are Irish contractors afforded an opportunity of tendering for the supply of meat to troops stationed in England?
§ MR. POWELL WILLIAMSYes, Sir. Everybody is afforded the opportunity. The honourable Member himself might tender if he liked.