§ Sir ARTHUR MARKHAMasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has any information that the tinned beef supplied to the troops abroad by Morris and Company (Supreme) and Libby, McNeil, Chicago, is of indifferent quality, whereas the other tinned beef supplied is of excellent quality; whether the unused tinned food issued to the troops abroad is collected weekly; will he say why the men are not given any additional vegetable ration in lieu of this tinned beef returned; and whether, in order to avoid waste of food at the front, he will credit every regiment with the value of the food returned?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo complaints have been received with regard to the tinned 1629W beef supplied by the firms mentioned by the hon. Member, which is packed under the same supervision as the other brands supplied to the troops. The general rule at home and abroad is that supplies not actually required for consumption are not to be drawn. A certain proportion of vegetables enters into the field rations, and where local conditions permit, fresh vegetables are also obtained. Various suggestions for encouraging the return of unused rations are being considered.