HC Deb 25 July 1935 vol 304 cc2012-3
60. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the low price of home-produced beef, he will arrange that the Forces shall be supplied with home-produced meat for at least three days per week during the contract period of October, 1935, to March, 1936?

Mr. HACKING

Apart from administrative difficulties, the extra cost of supplying home-produced beef as against frozen beef of Dominion origin would, I regret, still be prohibitive as far as Army Funds are concerned.

Mr. LAMBERT

Would it not be wise for the War Office to feed the British forces with British beef instead of with frozen produce from abroad?

Mr. HACKING

Yes, Sir, it would be desirable, but unfortunately the extra cost that would be entailed by the proposal of my right hon. Friend would be at least £100,000 a year.

Mr. LAMBERT

Would not this be cheaper than a subsidy from the Exchequer?

Mr. TINKER

If the right hon. Gentleman asked Parliament for a grant of this kind, surely he would get it?

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