§ MR. JOHN DEWAR (Inverness-shire)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the oatmeal which has been supplied to the field forces in South Africa is entirely of foreign manufacture; and, in view of the superiority of Scotch oatmeal, will he state why the Scotch millers have not had an opportunity of tendering for the requirements of the troops.
LORD STANLEYThe contracts made by the War Office are all for Scotch oatmeal, and the bulk of the 1277 orders have gone direct to Scotch firms. Supplies for canteens are, however, made by the regiments, and it is possible that foreign oatmeal may be supplied to the troops in this way.