§ 14. Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how much surplus hay of last year's crop not required for Army purposes is still in the possession of the Army authorities; and whether, in view of the shortage of old hay in this country and the desirability of realising surplus stores, and especially perishable stores, as far as possible, he will give directions that this hay shall be at once put up for sale by auction, and that, so far as possible, it be put up in lots convenient for the requirements of private purchasers?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThere is no hay of last year's crop in the possession of the Army authorities. Such hay as is still held by the Army authorities belongs to the crop of 1918, but none of this is surplus to Army requirements.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERDoes that mean that the War Office is going to keep the whole of this 1938 crop, a great deal of which must now have perished?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONNo, it does not mean that we are going to keep it, but that we are going to use it as necessary.