§ SIR WILLIAM CROSSMAN (Portsmouth)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether Her Majesty's Government will agree to a Select Committee of this House being appointed to consider and report upon the supply of horses for Army purposes; and also to report whether, in their opinion, the supply could be in any way improved by the action of the Legislature?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)We have carefully considered this matter, and have come to the conclusion that there would be no adequate advantage in holding an inquiry by a Committee of this House at the present time into the supply of horses. The question of horse supply for the Army is of an urgent character; and I do not wish to be precluded by the appointment of such a Committee from taking any immediate steps that may be necessary.