§ CAPTAIN NORTONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can explain why 980,186 lbs. of tobacco, sent home from South Africa, was disposed of at 2d. per lb., seeing that it was bought at 9½d. per lb., and that 3,000,000 lbs. of similar tobacco was sold to the troops in South Africa at Is. to Is. 6d. per lb., as set forth in the last Report from the Committee of Public Accounts.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe tobacco sent home consisted of such surplus tobacco, some of it partially damaged, as could not be sold to the troops and for which no offer could be obtained in South Africa. I am informed that every endeavour was made to secure the widest competition in this country, and the prices realised were the best obtainable.