§ 35. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the principal articles included in the £44,600 worth of foodstuffs purchased from foreign sources for the use of the Army?
§ Mr. HACKINGThe principal items are preserved meat, tinned salmon and bacon.
§ Lieut. - Colonel ACLAND - TROYTECan the right hon. Gentleman say why so much is spent on things like tinned salmon and bacon?
§ Mr. HACKINGI have already said, in answer to another question, that the figure mentioned represents only 7 per cent. of the total foodstuffs purchased by the War Office, and that there is a substantial preference given to British and Empire goods. Perhaps I may take the example of bacon. If the quantity of bacon which we purchased from foreign sources had had to be purchased elsewhere, it would have meant having to pay 100 per cent. more for it.