HC Deb 13 July 1937 vol 326 cc1028-9
7. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of beef consumed by the forces of the Crown for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; what proportion of this came from within the Empire; the quantity that constituted preserved beef and the value of same; and the country from which such beef was purchased?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

Some 30,800,000 lbs. of fresh and frozen meat were purchased during the 12 months ended 31st March, 1937, for the Army and the Royal Air Force at home. This was almost wholly of Empire origin. In addition, 1,275,000 lbs. of preserved beef were purchased for delivery during 1936 at an approximate cost of £32,000. This supply was of South American origin, no offer of Empire preserved meat being received.

Mr. Day

Do we understand that no inquiries were made for preserved beef from within the Empire?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

I said that no offers at all were received from the Empire. As regards ordinary beef, 90 per cent. came from the Empire.