§ SIR CARNE RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the advisability of allowing Essex farmers to contract for the supply of straw for Colchester Camp, seeing that Belgian peat moss litter, which has only been in use for the last six months, is dearer than straw at present prices.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold Forster.) The hon. and gallant Baronet has been somewhat misinformed. A contract for straw for the troops at Colchester already exists, and is held by an Essex man. Experiments are, however, being made at this and other stations in the use of peat moss litter in lieu of straw as bedding for horses, at a less cost to the public.