HC Deb 26 February 1929 vol 225 cc1797-8W
Major HARVEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what percentage of the annual meat supply to the land forces of the Navy is represented, according to the last available figures, by meat of British origin, including Irish Free State, Empire origin, and foreign origin, respectively, stating what percentage is represented by fresh, chilled, frozen, and preserved, and giving the cost in each ease?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

The meat (other than preserved) supplied from Service sources is "frozen" and is of Empire origin. The last annual purchase of preserved meat was 40 per cent. Empire origin and 60 per cent. foreign origin. The approximate cost on this basis has been:

£
Frozen meat (Empire origin) 62,500
Preserved meat (Empire origin) 1,700
Preserved meat (foreign origin) 2,300
Preserved meat of foreign origin was purchased because no further quantities of meat of Empire origin of a quality suitable for naval requirements were offered by the firms tendering.

Major HARVEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what would be the estimated extra cost if only British, including Irish Free State, meat were supplied to the land forces of the Navy for one day a week, two days a week, and three days a week, respectively?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

The meat supplied to Royal Navy shore establishments and Marine divisions is "frozen" and of Empire origin, and the extra cost per day of supplying home-killed fresh meat to these establishments would be approximately £130, or, say, 87 per cent. over the cost of the Dominion frozen meat.