§ Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state the reasons for the Army authorities controlling the whole hay crop of about 11,000,000 tons when their, requirements amount only to about 1,000,000 tons; and if he will explain the procedure adopted and the method of distribution of hay for civil needs other than growers' needs?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe Army requires the best quality of hay available, and it is only by selection from the whole crop that this can be secured. The method of acquiring and distributing hay for civil needs was published in the Press on the 29th March, and has been reproduced in pamphlet form. I am sending the hon. Member a copy, but I should be glad if the hon. Member and others interested would allow me to arrange for them a meeting with General Morgan, who is in charge of the Forage Department, and would be pleased to explain the system to them in detail.
§ Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will state the numbers in each medical category of the 326 officers and 11,003 men employed in the Army Forage Department?
§ Mr. FORSTERParticulars of the medical category of each officer in the Army Forage Department are not available, and would take some time to obtain. All officers under thirty years of age who are eligible and fit for general service have already been combed out. No officer is eligible for a commission in the Department if above category B2. The majority1012W of the officers are considerably over thirty years of age, and totally unfit for any form of active military service, and amongst their numbers are many who have already been invalided from active service.
The actual number of men employed in the Department at present is 10,501, and these are of the following categories:
Al 251 These are mechanical experts, engine drivers, and men temporarily attached on loan for horse transport duty. They are being replaced by training men of lower category to take their place, and by women as fast as recruiting allows. A2 2 A3 18 B1 685 These men are constantly examined by travelling medical boards, and, as their categories are raised, they are replaced by men of a lower category or by women. B2 7,151 B3 920 D 38 Totally Unfit 1,436 10,501* * This total fluctuates weekly and does not include 50 interned aliens. The Army Forage Department are already employing 4,503 women in place of men.
§ Mr. NEEDHAMasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state the tonnage of hay and other farm produce purchased during the last twelve months by the Army Forage Department, showing separately the tonnage of each kind of produce purchased; and the total annual cost of the Department?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe tonnage of hay and other farm produce purchased by the Army Forage Department for the twelve months ended December, 1917, was as follows:
Tons. Cwts. Qrs. Lbs. Hay … 1,087 098 19 2 1 Straw … 90,683 3 1 0 Oats … 35,783 4 3 9 Potatoes … 83,l90 10 1 26 Bedding … 9,537 17 0 26 Sawdust … 14,101 12 3 12 Peas … 213 0 0 0 Peatmoss … 5,252 13 1 0 Wheat … 88 7 0 16 Tan … 91 9 3 0 Ashes … 107 15 0 0 Total … 1,326,148 13 1 6 The establishment expenses of the Department over the same period were £457,606 15s. 3¼d.