§ 83. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the campaign to buy British goods supported by the Government, he is prepared to reconsider his recent decision and undertake that, for the future, a certain proportion of English meat shall be included in the purchases made by his Department for issue as rations to the troops?
§ Mr. COOPERNo, Sir. The issue of English meat to the troops is unfortunately precluded by the heavy extra expense involved.
§ Mr. ALBERYWhen the hon. Gentleman speaks of the extra expense involved, will he be prepared to consider the issue of English meat, if it can be obtained at the same expense?
§ Mr. COOPERCertainly, if it can be obtained at the same price.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it a fact that only the purveyors of imported meat can tender, and that the purveyors of English meat cannot tender?
§ Mr. COOPERI do not think that that is the case. If they could tender at prices lower than imported meat, they would be able to tender.
§ Sir ROBERT SANDERSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in the form of tender there is no provision for English meat at all, and that it is all foreign meat?
§ Mr. ALBERYIn one of his answers the hon. Gentleman said that if the English tenders were lower—
§ Mr. COOPERI should have said as low.