§ MR. FABER (York)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the case of the steamship "Goth," of the then Union Line, which started for South Africa on or about the 21st January last, with about 240 horses on board, one of the horses developed pink-eye shortly before the ship started, when it was discovered by the veterinary officer in charge that there was no veterinary medicine of any kind on the vessel; whether there was time to procure the necessary medicine before the ship started, and if so, whether it was procured, and, whether any, and how many, of the horses died during the voyage; and will he state whose office it is to see that vessels carrying horses from this country to South Africa, in such cases, are properly supplied with veterinary medicines and appliances.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe hon. Member has been misinformed. The Inspecting Veterinary Officer landed the horse, which was suffering from influenza. The vessel was amply provided with veterinary medicines and appliances by the Army Veterinary Department. This has been done in the case of every transport. No information has yet reached the War Office to show whether any horses died during the voyage.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI have not the officer's name. I believe there were two, one being selected by the Imperial Yeomanry Committee.