§ 1. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for War the daily average cost per head of victualling the personnel of the Army for the years 1912 and 1913, and for the years 1934 and 1935; and what substantial changes have taken place during these periods with regard to the quality or quantity of the food supplied?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Duff Cooper)The approximate daily figures at home are 7.9d. for 1912, 7.8d. for 1913, 9.17d. for 1934 and 9.37d. for 1935. It is not possible to make a direct comparison between the quality and quantity of the present day ration and that in issue before the War, but the allowance for articles of diet, other than bread and meat, has been approximately doubled since 1913, and this increase, after allowing for increase in market prices, undoubtedly and designedly gives the troops a higher standard of ration.
§ Mr. DAYWhy is chilled meat supplied to the troops at the present time, whereas British meat was previously supplied?