§ MR. STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether forage for the cavalry employed in South Africa has been purchased from abroad; and if so whether he will state from what countries and at what prices it has been purchased.
* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.Forage for South Africa has been purchased from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina. This imported forage is found to stand the voyage to, and climate of, South Africa better than that supplied from this country. Moreover, there are certain descriptions of forage, supplies of which are desired by the military authorities, which are not produced in this country. It is not usual to give the actual prices paid, which are always regarded as confidential. Oats have been mainly bought in London, but it does not, of course, follow that they are home-grown.
§ MR. STRACHEYCan the hon. Gentleman tell us the amount paid per ton for hay?