§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the late Government arranged that native meat should lie supplied for five days in the week to troops stationed in Ireland; whether he is aware that the paupers and lunatics are fed upon home produce; whether he can state the reasons which caused the withdrawal of the first meat contract tender issued for Ireland, and the substitution of the word home-killed instead of home-bred; and whether it is usual to make such a change without consultation or notice to the House.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane) As regards the first paragraph, no exceptional arrangement was made for Ireland by the late Government. The tender-forms are the same for all parts of the United Kingdom. As regards the second paragraph, the War Office has no knowledge of this subject. As regards the third paragraph, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him on 14th May.† As regards the last paragraph, the reply is in the affirmative.
§ † See Col. 172.