HC Deb 30 June 1915 vol 72 cc1791-2
9. Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that one or two local butchers at Tunbridge Wells have received and been in unlawful possession of stolen Army meat; whether he knows that one butcher has for months past been buying Army beef from the lieutenant-quartermaster of several regiments at 1½d. a pound and reselling it as sausages at 5½d. a pound; whether by this means the butcher made an illegitimate profit of £600 in six months; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with such practices?

12. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that two butchers at Tunbridge Wells were fined on Saturday last for receiving and being in unlawful possession of stolen meat from the Army; whether he is aware that one of the butchers stated in the Court that for months past he had bought Army beef from lieutenant - quartermasters of several regiments at 3½d. per pound and resold it to them as sausages at 5½d. per pound, and that this was done with the approval of the colonel; and if he will have the matter inquired into and a Report made thereon?

Mr. TENNANT

I am aware that it came out in the course of the trial that transactions of the nature referred to had taken place. These grave charges will, of course, be fully investigated. There has been no time, as the trial only took place on Saturday, to ascertain who is implicated.