§ MR. MCVEIGH (Donegal, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a resolution, passed on June 11th by the county council of Donegal, protesting against the change made in the Army meat tender which permits contractors to supply foreign meat killed at the port of disembarkation instead of home-reared meat, which was guaranteed to be used by the late Government some years ago; and will he say whether the Army horses are mainly fed on foreign oats, straw, and hay, and, if so, will he reconsider his decision in the interest of the agriculturist, ratepayers, taxpayers, labourers, and employers of the three kingdoms.
§ MR. BUCHANANMy attention has been drawn to this resolution. There is no doubt that considerable quantities of foreign oats and straw are supplied to the Army under contracts, but in the case of oats it would be very difficult to obtain sufficient home grown supplies at reasonable prices. The proposal to limit the supply of forage to British produce would involve an extra expense to the State which I am not prepared to recommend.