§ MR. ALFRED DAVIES (Carmarthen Boroughs)To ask the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to cases in which frozen and chilled meat, or meat from animals killed at Deptford, the wharves, or other places within ten days after arrival from abroad, has been substituted for British and Irish grown meat stipulated for in the contracts; and, if so, will he say what action he proposes taking, and give the wording of that portion of the contract that pertains thereto.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) No actual proved cases of this nature have been brought to the notice of the War Office. The wording of the contract is as follows:—"The beef shall be home-bred ox, not under two nor more than eight years old, or home-bred heifer and cow, not under two nor more than four years old; the mutton wether or ewe. Carcases of sheep weighing less than 50 lbs will not be received. Frozen mutton when supplied shall be from British Colonies exclusively."