§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the contracts for the supply of fresh meat for the Navy require that the cattle shall be delivered alive at the various naval bases; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent the unnecessary cruelty which is inflicted on live stock consigned to naval stations in the course of their transit by rail by reason of their detention for many hours in trucks without food or water being supplied to them?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe contracts for four of the naval stations provide for live cattle. The contractors are responsible for proper care of the cattle in transit, and no complaint has reached the Department of any such suffering of animals as is suggested in the question. Inquiry will, however, be made of contractors concerned with a view to preventive measures, if such are found necessary. I may point out that the contractor in his own interest, apart from other considerations,432W would naurally take care to ensure animals arriving in good condition.