§ MR. BROWNasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, Whether, in consequence of the loss in horses in connection with the Egyptian Campaign, an additional sum will have to be taken for cavalry remounts?
§ SIR ARTHUR HAYTERYes, Sir. In consequence of the loss of horses in the Egyptian Campaign, an additional sum has been taken for the Cavalry remounts, and this is included in the total amount of the war expenses given by the Prime Minister. Perhaps it may be interesting to the House to learn the exact state of the Cavalry regiments as regards horses who took part in the Egyptian Campaign. The Household Cavalry horses are now fit for, and are performing, ordinary duty. They lost, on an average, 30 per squadron, or 90 in all, including those killed in action. The Field Artillery horses are, for the most part, nearly fit for duty. The mortality among the horses of the regiments remaining in Egypt has not been of a very exceptional character, and has been due principally to climatic causes. The 7th Dragoon Guards have lost 72, and the 19th Hussars 50 horses. Both regiments have now been removed from Cairo, and the horses have much benefited by the change. The whole of the Artillery are also encamped outside Cairo. There remain the 4th Dragoon Guards, who have lost 267 horses, and a troop of Horse Artillery, who lost 96 horses. The mortality among these is decreasing, and the 4th Dragoon Guards have 200 horses 400 now fit for easy duty. But it will not be forgotten that this regiment made a forced march of 70 miles in less than 48 hours, and that not a trooper lay down nor a horse was unsaddled until Cairo was safe.