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(b.) Flour, 290,000 lb.

On pp.

2 and 29 of the Scheme it is stated that the reserves of flour usually maintained by merchants would suffice for four months for the whole population. It is not clear, under these circumstances, why so large a quantity is required from England.

(c.) Coffee, 24,000 lb.

In the previous Scheme only 16,000 lb. were asked for. The increase is, presumably, in part due to the civil population being taken as 8,750 instead of at 7,000 as formerly; but it is not understood why, in the present case, only 12,500 lb. are given as obtainable locally, while in 1891 the local supply was put down at 50,000 lb.

(d.) Compressed vegetables, 5,000 lb.

The decrease from 68,000 lb., asked for in 1891, is most satisfactory, as there would be a great difficulty in obtaining large supplies of these stores at short notice.

(e.) Lime-juice, 1,000 gallons (10,000 lb.).

This is an increase of 6,000 lb. over the amount required from England in 1891.

(f.) Oil, 10,000 gallons; wick, 1,000 yards; candles, 3,000 lb.

None of these stores were required from England in 1891. The necessity for them would also seem to be diminished by the fact that electric light is now being put up at Gibraltar.

(g.) It is noted that no baking-powder, or substitute for it, and no rice, are now required to be dispatched to Gibraltar on alarm of war.

The Colonial Defence Committee recommend that inquiries be made by the War Office with regard to the above points.

August 9, 1895.

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(Signed)

M. NATHAN, Secretary,

Colonial Defence Committee.

PRINTED AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE BY T. EARRISON.-12/8/95.

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