§ SIR WILLIAM CROSSMAN (Portsmouth)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether arrangements can be made for fixed annual visits to central places in various counties by the officers employed in purchasing horses for Army purposes; if so, whether notice of such visits could be given continuously, from year to year, in the local newspapers, together with full information as to the stamp of horses required, and the price that will be given for them; whether, whenever the Royal or other Agricultural Society holds a meeting, as was held at Newcastle a short time ago for a show of stallions, in order to encourage farmers to breed horses for Army purposes, arrangements can be made to insure purchasing officers visiting such districts four years afterwards?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)Under the present system, by which officers commanding regiments are responsible for the purchase of the horses required by their regiments, there would probably be serious difficulties in carrying out the proposals of the hon. and gallant Member; but the suggestion is one of great importance, and I will consider to what extent it could be adopted.