HC Deb 31 October 1916 vol 86 cc1526-7
73. Mr. MacVEAGH

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will direct the withdrawal of the summonses issued for the Petty Sessions at Castlewellan, county Down, for the 7th proximo, against certain small farmers for selling threshed hay without a permit, seeing that the hay was in small lots of under a ton, that there had been much delay in inspection, and that farmers have since been authorised to sell small lots without permits?

Mr. FORSTER

No inspection of threshed hay is necessary, and licences are issued at once, on application, to persons desirous of selling this class of forage. I regret I do not see my way to interfere with the discretion of the local military authorities in these cases.