§ Sir T. INSKIPasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that large quantities of home-grown potatoes, approved by inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, are now available for victualling the Royal Navy; and whether any offers have been received by the Admiralty of such potatoes?
Mr. ALEXANDERA Belfast firm recently offered to supply potatoes, stated to be approved by inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture, Northern Ireland, at the same current prices as those at which they are now supplying English wholesale importers. The offer has been brought to the notice of the firm who hold the present Admiralty contract.
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§ Sir T. INSKIPasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether current Admiralty contracts for potatoes contain a clause that supplies must be from home-grown produce; and, if so, whether any and what steps are taken to ensure compliance with this provision?
Mr. ALEXANDERAs already stated in my reply to the hon. Member of the 22nd instant [OFFICIAL REPORT, cols. 958–9], the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but in order to encourage such supply there is inserted in the acceptance letters the remark
You are relied on to supply home-grown vegetables in fulfilment of this contract so far as they are available.
§ Sir T. INSKIPasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that potatoes for victualling the Royal Navy have recently been delivered at Portsmouth in German vessels; if so, whether there was any indication in the bills of lading or consignment notes or other documents as to the place of shipment; and, if so, what was the place of shipment?
Mr. ALEXANDERThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the cargo was consigned, not to the Admiralty, but to the firm who hold the standing contract for supply of vegetables at Portsmouth; by the courtesy of that firm I am able to say that this cargo was shipped from Hamburg.