§ SIR ROBERT HOBARTTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the date when the sites of the camps for the military manœuvres in the New Forest were finally settled; whether, in accordance with his promise, instructions have been given to the military authorities to purchase supplies for the troops from persons residing in the immediate localities; and whether any contracts have 1202 been entered into with persons not residing in the New Forest previous to the date in question; and, if so, will he give instructions to cause his promise to be carried out.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Holmesley and Ashley Walk Camps were fixed on 17th June, and Rochford Common on 16th July. As regards the rest of the Question there appears to be some misunderstanding. I told my hon. friend on 1st June that I hoped the military would find it possible to obtain butter, eggs, and milk locally, but I gave no promise that all contracts should be placed locally or that I would give instructions to units to make their canteen purchases locally. Some of the contracts for bread and meat, forage and fuel, have been placed locally, Canteen purchases are always left entirely to the units to arrange.