§ Mr. HURDasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to, secure not only that War Office supplies are obtained from British firms, but that, so far as practicable, the materials of these supplies are of British home or Empire origin?
§ Captain KINGIt is the practice of the War Office to give a substantial preference to British products in making purchases for the Army, and so far as practicable to extend similar preference to the materials used in carrying out such contracts. The question whether any further steps can be taken in the latter direction is under consideration.
§ Colonel BURTONasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will issue instructions to the effect that, in the feeding of all troops and persons under the control of his Department whose maintenance is provided for by the State, preference shall be given to home-grown wheat and other produce?
§ Captain KINGIt is the practice of the War Office to give a substantial preference in price to home over foreign products in obtaining supplies for the Army. Wheat, as such, is not purchased by the War Office, but as regards flour,1250W supplies bought for the Army have, under the terms of the contract, to be milled in this country. From information obtained from the millers it is clear that a proportion of English wheat is used in its manufacture, and the specification lays down no limit to the proportion which may be used, so long as the flour meets War Department requirements. It is not considered desirable, however, to stipulate for a definite proportion of homegrown wheat, as the quantity which can be, used in producing satisfactory flour must necessarily vary according to the time of the year and the quality of the wheat.