§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the amount of beef consumed last year by the Air Force and the cost thereof; and what proportion came from within the Empire?
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Secretary of State for War the amount of beef consumed by the Army last year; the cost thereof; and what proportion came from within the Empire?
§ Mr. SHAWThe amount of beef consumed by the Army and Royal Air Force at Home, Mediterranean and Chinese Stations during the year from 1st January to 31st December, 1929, is estimated at 36,000,000 pounds. The cost of this beef was approximately £780,000. The proportion which came from within the Empire was over 99 per cent. In addition, preserved beef to the value of £54,000 was purchased. This was of foreign origin. The purchases at stations abroad, other than the Mediterranean and Chinese Stations, are made locally and complete figures cannot be given. I should add that the figures given may also cover some relatively small issues of mutton made at home stations at the option of the troops, of which no detailed information is available at headquarters.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of beef consumed by the Navy last year; the cost thereof; and what proportion came from within the Empire?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe cost of the 11,758,000 lbs. consumed was £263,600. 95 per cent. was of Empire origin.