§ 53. Mr. HUNTasked whether the War Office appointed some years ago a gentleman connected with Smithfield Market as an expert adviser to assist them in the matter of their meat contracts; if so, what was his name and the amount of his remuneration; and was this gentleman consulted as to the advisability of so altering the War Office specification of 1913, whereby Australian beef from which the flanks and briskets had been removed was admitted?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Baker)An expert is employed when necessary for surprise inspections and other purposes. It would obviously impair his usefulness if his name were published. Payment is by fee according to the nature of the service performed. Expert advice was taken before the change of specification was made in 1913.
§ 54. Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the contract for the supply of meat to the Army has been given to the firm of Thomas Borthwick and Sons; and, if so, what precautions will be taken to see that the meat supplied is not of the same character as the meat seized on the premises of that firm and condemned by the City sanitary authorities as improperly excised and infested with parasitic worms on 18th December, 1913, and 20th January, 1914?
§ Mr. BAKERThe current contract for the supply of frozen meat ex-store was secured by Messrs. Borthwick after competitive tendering. Before being taken over the meat will be inspected by a fully qualified inspecting officer.
§ Mr. HUNTIs any of this meat with these parts cut out going to be again supplied to the British Army, as was the case a year or two ago?