§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether any and what kind of warlike stores were purchased abroad for the purposes of the campaign in South Africa; and what is the total estimated sum paid or to be paid for such purchases up to 31st December, 1899.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMCertain purchases of warlike stores have been made abroad, but these bear a very small proportion to the purchases made at home. For example., we have purchased—
It would be against the public interest to publish an exhaustive statement of such purchases at the present moment, and I must ask the hon. Member not to press his question.
At Home. India. Abroad. (a) Harness and saddlery, 25,000 sets and 62,000 sets (mule) — 7,000 sets. (b) Drab serge, 200,000 (more now). — 50,000 (c) Boots, 240,000 160,000 —
§ *MR. WYNDHAMIf hon. Members can defer their questions till Tuesday, that will enable the officials at the War Office to have the Bank Holiday.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)Is it a fact that largo contracts have been concluded with Hungarian firms for the supply of foreign flour, and will the hon. Gentleman endeavour to give all such orders possible to the English flour-milling trade?
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLNot forgetting Sheffield.