§ 22. Mr. Sextonasked the Secretary of State for War the total weight and value of home-produced beef, mutton, butter and cheese, respectively, issued to the Army for the years 1935, 1936 and 1937, respectively; and corresponding information as to other than home-produced foods?
§ The Secretary of State for War (Mr. Hore-Belisha)With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. SextonCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figures indicate that the farmers of this country will be satisfied that the National Government are encouraging agriculture by feeding our troops upon British agricultural produce?
Following is the statement:
The above figures include purchases made at home for the Army and Royal Air Force at home and abroad, and a small quantity for certain naval requirements abroad. Separate figures are not available for beef and mutton, or for purchases at overseas stations.
1. Beef and Mutton. (a) Home killed. Approximate Weight. Approximate Value. lbs. £ 1935–36 … 14,300 250 1936–37 … 6,000 160 1937–38 … 6,900 210 (b)Other than home killed(at least 99 per cent. of Dominion origin). Approximate Weight. Approximate Value. lbs. £ 1935–36 … 39,415,000 567,000 1936–37 … 44,461,000 683,000 1937–38 … 39,639,000 661,000 In addition, foreign preserved meat is issued, in lieu of ordinary meat, for the 1399 purpose of maintaining the Army and Royal Air Force reserves at home and abroad, the cost of Dominion supplies being prohibitive.
2. Butter and cheese, all of Dominion origin, are purchased by units at home from the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes out of a cash allowance, and details of weight and value are not available. For units abroad the following purchases of cheese of Dominion origin were made at home:
Approximate Weight. Approximate Value. lbs. £ 1935–36 ‖ 610,000 14,600 1936–37 ‖ 492,000 14, 400 1937–38 ‖ 341,000 10,600