§ Mr. HICKS BEACHasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the desiccated vegetables used in the Royal Navy are chiefly of British or foreign origin?
§ Mr. McKENNANo desiccated vegetables have been purchased for the Navy during the last few years. When purchases were made some years ago (between 1901 and 1904) they were largely of foreign origin, though one firm in England (the only one at that time known to the Admiralty as packers of suitable vegetables) secured more than half of the last large order, and substantial portions of previous orders.