§ 2. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Secretary of State for War if his Department proposes to buy British-produced meat for the troops during the ensuing six months; and if he will say how far ahead meat contracts are made?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The issue to the troops of home-killed meat, to which I presume the hon. and gallant Member refers, is precluded by the heavy increased expenditure which would be involved. Practically all the meat issued at home is frozen meat of Dominion origin. Contracts are made for six-monthly periods beginning on 1st April and 1st October, and are placed about six weeks before they are due to commence.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIn view of the assistance that it would be to agriculture, will the right hon. Gentleman 212 consider, when the contracts are over, adopting new contracts so as to allow for the purchase of British home-killed meat?
§ Mr. SHAWIf any organised body of farmers will put before the War Office a scheme for the supply of British meat at something like a price comparable with the price now paid, I will gladly consider it. The prices now are often 100 per cent. higher than the prices we are paying.
§ Mr. DAYCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the policy he has adopted was the policy adopted by his predecessor?