§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, whether he can make arrangements so that the fodder used by troop horses stationed in Ireland shall be native produce, not imported Foreign forage. Whether he will arrange that a receiving depôt shall be established in Dublin, to receive samples of tenders for supplies of material, outfits, saddlery, and other stores for the troops stationed in Ireland.
§ MR. NANNETTI (Dublin, College Green)At the same time, may I ask the Secretary of State for War, whether it is the intention of the War Office to give effect to the recommendations of the Commander of the Forces in Ireland, in his evidence on War Office Reorganisation, as regards the opening of depôts in Ireland for receiving, and the manufacture of work necessary for the troops in that country.
LORD STANLEYAs regards the first paragraph of this question, I cannot undertake to include this stipulation in 470 forage contracts, as fodder of the quality and quantity required would not always be available locally; but local purchases are in every way encouraged. As regards the second paragraph, and a similar question put by the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin, the points raised have been carefully considered, and it was decided that the stores required were not large enough to justify any action of the nature suggested.
§ MR. NANNETTIMay I ask whether the noble Lord will make arrangements so that the refreshments supplied to the troops in Ireland shall be the product of that country. Also, with reference to the second question, is it not the fact that the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Ireland recommended that a certain class of work should be executed in Ireland when possible, so that employment might be given to the people?
§ MR. NANNETTII will raise the question on the Vote for the noble Lord's salary.