§ 53. Lieut.-Colonel GAULTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to alleviate the present position of the stock-raising section of agriculture, he is prepared to include a proportion of home-killed meat in all Government food contracts for the forces of the Crown stationed in the United Kingdom?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThis question which has received very careful consideration by successive Governments raises many financial and administrative difficulties, and I am afraid I can hold out no hope that it will be possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Lieut.-Colonel GAULTWould not the increased cost of home-killed meat be economically sound to support in order to assist the basic industry of agriculture in the very critical times through which it is passing, due to the abnormally low cost of primary commodities; and does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the Government should take a leading part in this effort?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy hon. and gallant Friend's question made the suggestion that home-killed and not home- 1053 raised meat should be included in Government contracts. Surely he will see that if you are to provide for the home-killed meat that does not necessarily help stock-raising in this country.
§ Mr. EVERARDIs my right hon. Friend aware that before the War a considerable proportion of the Government's buying for the forces was of home-killed meat? Why cannot that policy be carried out to-day?