§ Captain R. TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for War if he can make any statement as to the hay in the possession, of the Army authorities at the present moment; whether large dumps of 1918 hay are now being built at various centres, 1919W presumably with the object of making the War Office independent to some extent of next year's crop; and whether, in view of the extreme shortage of feeding-stuffs in the country, he can undertake to liberate most of this hoarded hay and take his chance of more prolific supplies next year?
§ Mr. FORSTERI regret it is not possible to release any of the hay held by the military authorities. As already explained, the present stocks are only sufficient to meet Army requirements until April next. Dumps of hay of the 1918 crop are being made in order that the Forage Department may be closed down almost immediately and that farmers may be paid for their hay; this is not possible until the hay has been baled and the actual weight ascertained.