§ 85. Mr. DEVLINasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether the conditions of the meat contracts for the Army in Ireland have been complied with in respect of the contracts for meat supplies for the Belfast district; whether tenders were asked for from competent firms or persons; if not, what system was adopted; whether condition one of the Mobilisation Form (Ireland) in respect to the trade and calling of the person to whom the contract was given was complied with in reference to the Belfast district; whether he will state the business of the present contractor and what are his qualifications for the position of meat contractor; whether the contract for meat in the Belfast district was handed over to a person not in the meat business at all without any competition and without any tenders being invited from firms or persons in the meat trade in 1109 Belfast; and whether he intends to take any steps to have the contract for meat supplies for the Army in the Belfast district thrown open to competition?
§ Mr. FORSTEROnly one contract now exists for the supply of meat to the troops stationed in the Belfast district—that at Finner Camp—which was placed, after competitive tendering, in April last. The contract contains the condition referred to as to the trade of the holder, and this condition is complied with. The remaining military stations in the Belfast district are supplied under the experimental meat scheme now in operation in certain districts in Ireland, by which the War Department buys cattle direct from farmers and other sellers and arranges for the slaughter and distribution by military labour. Mr. Robert Graham, 2, Ocean Buildings, Belfast, a well-known farmer and cattle dealer, is acting as buyer for the Department. The whole question of the meat supply in Ireland is under consideration, but there is at present no intention of reverting to the contract system generally.
§ Mr. DEVLINWas not a Special Comsioner sent over by the present Prime Minister, when he was Secretary For War, to inquire into this matter, and can we have the Report of that Special Commissioner?
§ Mr. FORSTERI think the Special Commissioner alluded to by my hon. Friend was sent over really to conduct inquiries into other matters. I believe he did make representations in regard to this matter.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the hon. Gentleman be able to give the House or myself the Report of the Special Commissioner?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir; I am afraid not. I have already declined to publish the Report, which was a private Report addressed to the Prime Minister.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYIs the gentleman referred to a member of the Stock Exchange?
§ Mr. FIELDIs it not the fact that no competition was entered into in the matter to which my hon. Friend the Member for West Belfast has referred; if so, what was the reason for it; were the men in the trade consulted?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy hon. Friend had better give notice of that question.
§ Mr. DEVLINIs this contractor a stockbroker at Belfast?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe gentleman to whom my hon. Friend alludes ceased to be responsible for the buying of cattle some time ago.
§ Mr. DEVLINI beg to give notice that at some favourable opportunity I shall raise this whole question.
§ Colonel SHARMAN-CRAWFORDIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that the new system in the Belfast district has given the greatest satisfaction to the commanding officers there?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir; I believe it is working very satisfactorily.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYIs it giving as great satisfaction to the four or five buyers that have been supplanted as it is to the Government?
§ Mr. FORSTERThat is another matter.