§ MR. T. F. RICHARDS (Wolverhampton, W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the flour mills in the Deptford Victualling Yard are lying idle, all the flour required being supplied by contractors; whether he can see his way to having the Government plant utilised for the purpose for which it was erected; whether he is aware that the contractors supply the flour in bags instead of casks, and that a waste of flour is involved through the bags not being water-tight; whether he will take steps to remedy this; whether he is aware that the bags of flour which are sent direct on board are not inspected, the only inspection being that a sample is submitted at the victualling yard; and whether he will institute a more thorough system.
§ MR. McKENNAAs stated in the reply to a former similar Question put by the hon. Member on 4th December, 1906, it is not proposed to revert to the old, system of direct Government manufacture of flour. The flour supplied by contractors is delivered in the ordinary trade sacks, which are quite suitable for the purposes required. There is no waste of flour involved. The present system of testing a percentage of the flour supplied has proved to be sufficiently thorough, and is moreover the only practical one, having regard to the enormous quantities dealt with. It is not proposed to extend it.
§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to sell the plant at the Deptford Victualling Yard?
§ MR. McKENNANot at the present time.
§ MR. CROOKSI hope, then, you are going to use it some day.
§ *MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)Does it signify whether the flour mills are idle or not if the expenditure on the Navy is unproductive?
§ MR. McKENNAI do not admit that it is unproductive.
§ MR. CROOKSIt is a form of insurance.