§ Captain EDENasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proportion of the contracts for meat for the feeding of the Navy during the past 12 months has been placed with the British producer, what proportion in other parts of the Empire, and what proportion in a foreign country; and whether he can make any estimate of the additional cost per month of placing such contracts in this country compared with any other part of the Empire and with a foreign country?
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe answer to the first part of the question is approximately as follows:—
1129W
Per cent. British (home) producers 1 Other parts of the Empire 83 Foreign 16 These percentages are based upon the total quantities of fresh, frozen and preserved meat purchased for Navy use at home and abroad. The greater part of the foreign meat was purchased at a time when Dominion meat of suitable quality was not obtainable. With regard to the second part, the estimated additional cost per month if supplies of fresh meat for home consumption were purchased from home producers would be approximately £10,000.