§ 74. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether a letter, dated 12th instant, was issued from 64, Whitehall Court, over the name of H. Godfrey Morgan, colonel, stating that no requisitioning or commandeering of hay of any kind has yet been resorted to in Ireland, and that all purchases had been optional sales; if he is aware that numerous farmers complain that the hay which they required for their own use has been taken at a price arbitrarily fixed and considerably below its market value; and who is responsible for this action?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I am informed that no hay has been acquired from a farmer, so far as can be ascertained, which he needed for his own use, either arbitrarily or otherwise. If, however, the hon. Member will furnish me with details of any specific case, I will have inquiry made.
§ 75. Mr. WHITEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War, what price has been paid in England for hay purchased by the Government; and whether any has been requisitioned or taken at a price not acceptable to the vendor?
§ Mr. FORSTERHay is being bought at varying prices, after quality, condition and freight have been taken into account. The prices are based upon those fixed by the various Farmers' County Committees after approval by the Forage Committee. Some hay has been requisitioned, but in the great majority of cases the price has been acceptable to the vendor, and in a small percentage of cases only has he exercised his right of assessment by a County Court judge.
§ Mr FORSTERNo, Sir, I am afraid I cannot.
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir, certainly.
§ 76. Mr. WHITEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War by whose authority a small quantity of hay was taken for Government purposes from John Henry, of Brews Hill, Navan, all of which he required for his own use, and at a price considerably below its market value; if he will state who is responsible for the fixing of the price; and whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt through the whole of county Meath at the conduct of the agent of the Government?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am informed that no hay has been taken from the gentleman named by the hon. Member. I understand that there is some dissatisfaction in the county of Meath with the Government scheme of purchase, but it appears to be due to interested parties who, not unnaturally object to direct purchase from the farmers.
§ Mr. WHITEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that it is the farmers themselves who complain and not interested parties? I will produce evidence to that effect.
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir, I have not had any intimation of complaints from the farmers themselves.