§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, N.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give a Return of the trading profit and loss account and 670 balance-sheet for the preceding year of the Camp Sewage Farm at Aldershot; whether he is aware that the milk has to be sold at a lower price than other milk in the same district on account of the proximity of the sewage outfalls; whether the War Office has been obliged to expend the sum of £3,300 during the last year on the drainage and buildings of this farm; and if it is intended to spend more money on endeavouring to turn this sewage farm into a dairy farm for the purposes of selling milk.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThere was a small loss on the farm account of last year, but the farm nevertheless fulfilled economically the purpose for which it was established—namely, the disposal of the camp sewage, capital outlay as well as current expenses being taken into account. In view of the recent report of Dr. Andrewes, confirmed, as it has since been, by observations of the medical officer of health for the county, it has been decided to continue the farm as at present constituted, and to keep a close watch on the conditions which manifest themselves. So far, no nuisance or danger to health has presented itself, even under the trying conditions which have prevailed during the exceptionally hot weather of the last few weeks. Directions have been given that the milk from the farm is not to be sold below the current rates of the district.