§ Major GLYNasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, what is the average difference in price per lb. of meat purchased for Army purposes at Home which is the product of Home and overseas producers respectively; and what is the average price paid by the War Office for meat for consumption at Home during the last five years?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSOwing to considerations of price, practically all the meat purchased by the War Department is frozen. Fresh beef is being supplied only at two small stations at which, on account of their position, frozen meat is not obtainable. At those stations the price is about 120 per cent. above that paid for frozen beef elsewhere, but the comparison, owing to the difference in quantities supplied,216W is hardly a fair one. The actual average price paid for frozen meat at all home stations during the last five years is not readily ascertainable, but the following figures are believed to be approximately accurate:
Beef. Mutton. Per lb. Per lb. d. d. 1922 … 4.044 … 6.513 1923 … 4.427 … 6.988 1924 … 4.486 … 6.572 1925 … 4.997 … 7.371 1926 … 5.032 … 6.228
Average for the five years:— Beef … … 4.637d. Mutton … … 6.863d. Only beef is now bought