§ 26. Mr. HURDasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether moss litter is now being used by cavalry and other regiments in place of straw; whether it is British or imported; and what is the amount of such purchases in the past year?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Captain Douglas King)Peat moss litter is included in the local contracts for forage in home commands, being taken as a substitute for straw at the option of officers commanding units. The actual quantities as taken and the proportion of British to imported peat moss are not available on record, but the amount is not large. The only purchase made by the War Office during last year was for shipment abroad, and was of British origin. It value was£158.
§ Mr. HURDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in making purchases of this kind the Government is displacing British produce, and is it still the motto of the Government that we should buy British goods "?
§ Captain KINGMy information is directly contrary to that statement. I have already said that the only purchase made by the War Office last year was of British origin.
§ Captain KINGIf the hon. Member will let me know to what particular purchase he is referring, I will make inquiries and give him an answer, but I am. now replying to the general question
§ Sir H. CROFTWould it be possible for the Department to give instructions that no goods of this kind shall be purchased from abroad? That would not require legislation, because it is purely a matter of administration.
§ Captain KINGMy hon. and gallant Friend will realise that, as I have already said, the only purchase we can trace was of British origin. The other purchases in the actual commands are of a very small character, involving very small amounts.