§ MR. STEPHENS (Middlesex, Hornsey)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the proposed appropriation of £5,000 for the encouragement of horse breeding, Whether, as horse breeding is a complicated pursuit demanding for success much individual resource and thrift, he will adhere, as strictly as possible, to a policy of laissez faire, and decline to allow Government interference with the industry of horse breeding in England, or to subsidize it with public money?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) () St. George's,476 Hanover Square In answer to the hon. Gentleman's Question, I can only repeat what has already been stated in this House. A sum of rather over £3,000 per annum has hitherto been given by Her Majesty out of her Civil List to Queen's Plates. The object of the gift was to encourage the breed of horses. Her Majesty has been pleased to signify her intention to give the bulk of this money in future not in plates to be raced for, but in prizes to be competed for at agricultural shows, this being regarded as a better means of promoting the avowed object—the encouragement of horse breeding; and the Government have undertaken to contribute out of the Estimates the comparatively small sum necessary to make up Her Majesty's gift to £5,000, which gives them a locus standi and a certain responsibility in constituting the Administering Board.