HC Deb 16 March 1915 vol 70 cc1908-9W
Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Under-Secretary for War what firm is supplying the meat for the soldiers in the Old Public School and University Corps now encamped at Epsom; and whether he is satisfied that the quality of the meat so supplied is satisfactory?

Mr. BAKER

The battalions of the corps mentioned, stationed at Epsom, are supplied with meat under a general contract for catering entered into with Mr. W. H. Cullen, of Earl Street, Finsbury, by the private committee responsible for the raising of the corps. The secretary has reported that the committee are quite satisfied with the meat supplied, that there have been no complaints, and that the meat has been of very good quality.

Sir FORTESGUE FLANNERY

asked whether complaints of the quality of meat supplied to the troops have referred to refrigerated beef and mutton as well as to home-killed; whether his attention has been called to the statements in a lecture at the City of London College by Mr. Arthur R. T. Woods, C.E., a recognised authority upon refrigeration, that whilst the sea carriage of perishable food-stuffs was a triumph of invention and engineering skill, the horse drawn insulated vans, the insulated barges in the harbours and the insulated cars on railways were often unclean and not regularly disinfected; whether any regulations will be made to be observed by the port authorities and others to insure the better sanitary conditions of refrigerated meat in its transit from the ships to the various military depots; and whether the War Office will communicate with the Board of Trade and with the Board of Agriculture upon this matter?

Mr. BAKER

I am not aware of any complaints having been made as to the quality of meat supplied to the troops, whether under War Department or other arrangements, except in the case of the White City. My attention has not been called to Mr. Wood's lecture, but the hon. Member may be assured that if any regulations are found to be necessary regarding the future sanitary condition of insulated vans and barges they will be made.