HC Deb 04 April 1911 vol 23 cc1983-4
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

asked in view of the fact that it is considered to be in the best interests of the soldier to vary his diet, what is the dietetic difference between chilled meat and fresh-killed meat?

Colonel SEELY

There is practically no dietetic difference between chilled and fresh meat, the nutritive value of each having been pronounced equal.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

As there is no change in the diet, and as, apparently, it is not on the score of cheapness, may I ask if there is any reason why we should not have all home-killed meat in this country?

Mr. KILBRIDE

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask whether he is aware that a short time ago it was stated by the Financial Secretary to the War Office that the reason for having frozen meat supplied was to give the soldiers a change of diet, and, now that apparently it is no longer the case, whether he will consider the advisability of supplying the soldier with a change of diet one day in the week either by Irish pork or Irish bacon?

Colonel SEELY

What I said was that there is no dietetic difference between chilled and fresh meat. There is variety, as there is between Irish and Scotch whisky.

Mr. SPEAKER

I would remind hon. Members that there are 117 questions on the paper. I am the recipient of many complaints from hon. Members that their questions are not reached, but if hon. Members insist on asking two or three supplementaries to each question, it is perfectly impossible that those who come at the end of the list should obtain verbal answers.