§ 64. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office 896 whether, in view of the depression in agriculture, the Government will now arrange for the supply to the Army of British meat alone from September till Christmas of this year?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)Practically all the meat supplied to the Army is of Dominion origin; but I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to home-fed meat, and on that subject I can only refer him to the statement made to the House on 1st March last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEIn view of the specially depressed state of agriculture, will not the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Cabinet to try to secure that British meat only shall be supplied at any rate during these few months to prevent further distress among the agricultural community?
§ Mr. COOPERThe hon. Gentleman will realise that it is not the duty of the Secretary of State for War to make representations to the Cabinet on behalf of agriculture.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that this question was not originally addressed to the War Office at all, but to the Prime Minister, and it has been transferred without my consent, and the only course, therefore, was for me to ask my hon. Friend to make representations.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWWill the hon. Gentleman include a provision for home-grown meat in his next Estimates and see whether he can persuade the Government to accept it?
§ Mr. COOPERFrom the point of view of the War Office, I could not consider such a thing, as the troops would not benefit in any way, and it would inflict a very large charge on Army Estimates.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEWill the hon. Gentleman represent to the Government that the reply which he has been forced to give to-day is not a satisfactory answer to the question which has been asked?