31. Mr. HARRISasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, on the 8th June, 10 tons of baled-out straw were brought all the way from Much Wenlock, in Shropshire, to Ashby-de-la-Zouche, in Leicestershire, to feed the horses belonging to the Food Production Department of the Government, although quantities were available locally, some of the ricks being in urgent need of removal; and whether he will take steps to prevent this waste of railway haulage at a time when the railways are short of wagons, and empower his officials to make use of the local supplies?
§ Mr. FORSTEROat straw was demanded, and, according to the information of the district purchasing officer of supplies, there was none available locally at the time, though some has since been threshed and has been acquired by him. Every effort is made to avoid unnecessary railway traffic.
Mr. HARRISIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local official asked leave to obtain a local supply from the ricks?
§ Mr. FORSTERMy information is that the ricks had not been threshed. There was no oat straw available in the locality, and it had to be brought in from elsewhere.
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, Sir.