§ MR. WEIRTo ask the President of the Local Government Board, having regard to the fact that during the last financial year the Board paid to a con tractor a sum of £860 17s. 6d. in respect of hire of 505 calves, used for the production of glycerinated calf lymph, will he state for what period these calves were on an average kept at the national vaccine establishment; and will he explain why, in the Estimates for the current year, a sum of £1,350 is set down for the supply of calves and a further sum of £740 for the keep of calves, whilst there is no indication of money being paid for the hire or use of calves for the production of glycerinated calf lymph.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) The sum of £1,350 represents the estimated amount for the hire of calves for the production of glycerinated calf lymph, and the sum of £740 the estimated cost of their keep whilst at the national vaccine establishment. They have usually remained there about a fortnight. I will consider whether any alteration should be made in the form of the Estimate relating to this matter.