§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the only buyers of cattle for 2139W the military district of Belfast are Robert Graham and William Price, who have no experience of beef cattle, their business having been in the past in springing cattle only; and will he inquire into the results of their operations and state them in the House of Commons?
§ Mr. FORSTER:Mr. Robert Graham is the authorised buyer for the Belfast district, and is regarded as thoroughly competent for the purpose. The results of his buying are closely scrutinised and are regarded as satisfactory.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that Messrs. Robert Graham and William Price buy cattle for the military district of Belfast at the two auctions, namely, Robsons and Calgans only, and that their method is to bid until the cattle are knocked down to them, price being no object; and will he consider the advisability of changing this system?
§ Mr. FORSTER:Out of 250 cattle recently bought within a few days for the military authorities in Ireland, seventeen were bought by auction at the places mentioned. It is not the case that these auction purchases were made without regard to their value.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that there has been no inspection of cattle killed for the use of the military in the Belfast military district from December, 1916, to May, 1917, that in November, 1916, about a dozen head of cattle were found on being killed to be infected with tuberculosis, and that the inspections were then stopped; and can he state whether official inspections are now made, and was it the custom, before the present experiment was tried, to have each animal inspected for soundness, age, and quality?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. All cattle from 1st January, 1917, have been inspected by City veterinarian and three inspectors before being accepted as beef. In November, 1916, beef was supplied under contract by the pound and all beef was inspected before being taken over from the contractor. No infected animal was offered. Inspections were not stopped, but have been continued without interruption. Official inspections continue to be made by corporation officials.
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§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the address of Robert Graham, as given, is also the address of Cunningham, the stockbroker; and can he say whether the latter has any and, if so, what connection with the contracts for the supply of beef to the Belfast military district?
§ Mr. FORSTERBoth the persons mentioned have the same business address in Belfast. Mr. Cunningham acts gratuitously as adviser to the military authorities in Ireland on matters connected with the purchase of cattle for the troops, and has no connection with any Army contracts for beef.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYasked what sum the military authorities pay per annum to the Belfast Corporation for the use of the public abattoir for the slaughter of cattle for the use of troops; and whether there is an additional charge connected with the present experiment?
§ Mr. FORSTER£40 per month, and there is an additional payment of £8 per month for inspection services.