§ GENERAL FRASER (Lambeth, N.)asked the Secretary of State for War, What steps have been taken towards carrying out the intention of the Government to organize the attenuated batteries of Horse Artillery still retained in the most effective manner, to make them valuable for service and ready to be produced whenever they are wanted; at what stage these arrangements have arrived; and, when they may be expected to be completed?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I have already explained to the House that to keep the Horse Artillery batteries required for the two Army Corps at full strength to enable them to take the field instantly would cost in the first year £51,000. Other countries do not think of maintaining such an establishment in peace time, and I therefore expressed a doubt whether this House would do so. The great difficulty, as my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, is in respect of horses. We have prepared a scheme which we hope may largely tend to meet the difficulty of horse supply generally, and it is now under the consideration of the Treasury.