§ 79. Mr. C. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for War the country of origin of all bacon purchased by his Department during the first six months of this year; and with what country or countries has his Department contracted for future supplies?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. T. Shaw)Dominion bacon is bought whenever possible, but is not always available. During the period in question, the bacon supplied by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes came mainly from Holland and to a lesser extent from Canada and Australia. The salt-packed bacon bought by the War Department for troops overseas came mainly from the United States and South America. When Dominion bacon is not available it is not usual to make forward contracts, but as a special case it has been necessary to make a contract for the supply of some salt-packed bacon up to March, 1932, from South America in order to ensure a supply.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWill the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why he insists on this inferior bacon?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIt must be if it is foreign.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is an ample supply of most excellent bacon in the Irish Free State?