§ Sir P. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, according to the latest Belgian records, there are 3,000 old British war horses in Belgium, often under working conditions that would not be permitted in this country, while the number of such horses in France is computed at 7,000 at least; and what steps he proposes to take with a view to sharing the responsibility for the welfare of these old horses, all of whom were used in the War?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThe wide variation between the figures now quoted of numbers of old British war horses in Belgium and France and those quoted in my hon. Friend's question on this subject on Tuesday last, suggests that the1060W calculations which have been made require examination by those who put them forward. As I indicated in my reply on Tuesday last, I cannot check their accuracy. No substantial evidence has been furnished to me in support of the allegations in the question, which imply an unwarranted doubt as to the humane treatment horses receive in France and Belgium.