§ 15 and 16. Mr. BLINDELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) at what date each year new potatoes are supplied for use on His Majesty's ships in home ports; and whether all potatoes supplied are Home produced;
§ (2) whether contractors for the supply of vegetables for use on His Majesty's ships and vessels in home ports are required to supply only home-grown produce; and, if not, will he give instructions that such condition shall be included in tender forms when next issued?
§ Mr. AMMONNo stipulation is made in the contracts for potatoes and other vegetables that supplies are to be homegrown produce, and under present conditions it would not be practicable to ensure that such a condition, if inserted, was in fact fulfilled. It may be assumed, however, that home produce is supplied when available and plentiful. As regards potatoes for His Majesty's ships, the contracts provide for new crop potatoes being supplied on and after 1st July in each year.
§ Mr. BLINDELLIs it impracticable to enforce that stipulations shall be included in the tenders that will be issued that wherever possible home-grown food shall be issued to the men in the Navy?
§ Mr. AMMONThe hon. Member must realise that it is quite impossible to enforce that in the case of ships in foreign ports. We must purchase in the market just the same as the rest of the population.
§ Mr. BLINDELLMy question refers to His Majesty's ships in home ports only, and it is with regard to the home ports that I am very anxious.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the supply of potatoes is plentiful just now?
§ Mr. AMMONI am aware of that fact. I have answered that we purchase 404 in the market just the same as the normal population.
§ Mr. HAYCOCKIs the Fleet being supplied whenever possible with homegrown bananas?