21. The MAROUESS of TITCHFIELDasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether an undertaking was recently given that tenders would be accepted for the supply of fresh meat in Army contracts; and, if so, can he explain why tenders for the supply of meat at Devizes and Trowbridge for the period 1st April to 30th June are confined to frozen meat?
§ Mr. GWYNNEAn undertaking was given by my predecessor on 9th January last, after the current contracts to 30th June were entered into, that, on their expiration, offers for fresh as well as frozen meat would be invited, and this will be given effect to in the contracts for the second half of the present year. It is regretted that it was overlooked that at a few stations, among which are included Trowbridge and Devizes, where the consumption is comparatively trifling, the current contracts expired on 31st March, and at some of these stations fresh contracts have been entered into on the existing basis up to 30th June without tenders for fresh meat being invited. Instructions have now been issued that alternative offers for fresh and frozen meat are in all future cases to be obtained at home stations.