§ 12. Mr. STEWARTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the present price of frozen meat in Argentina; 346 whether he can state the price which the American Beef Trust have charged our French Allies on the Continent for recent supplies of frozen meat; and, in view of the prices now being charged by frozen meat importers in this country, he can see his way to permit the importation of live cattle from abroad for slaughter at the wharf, so as to protect from too early slaughter immature animals in the British Isles?
§ Captain PRETYMANIn order to secure economy it has been agreed by the French Government that the British Government should purchase on behalf of both Governments. Prices are, therefore, on the same basis for both, but I do not think that it is in the national interest that I should publish them. I have no official knowledge of the prices paid by the French Government for their supplies under contracts made before this agreement was entered into. With regard to the last part of this question I understand that the matter is engaging the attention of my Noble Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries.