§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether orders to buy horses suitable for the various branches of the Army have ceased in Ireland, while extensive orders have been issued for the purchase of horses for the British Army in continental countries; and whether he will inquire if all the requisite horses can be procured in Ireland at short notice, and order that they shall be purchased there.
* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.Trained horses of suitable ages are very difficult to obtain in Ireland, and it is impossible to purchase there all the horses that are required. It has therefore been found necessary to buy a few thoroughly broken horses abroad and others in the Colonies. A large number of cobs have been purchased in Argentina, as they are very hardy, are accustomed to live on grass, and are best suited to the mounted infantry serving in South Africa; they are also very cheap. Horses are still being purchased in Ireland, and the number purchased from home sources for South Africa is much larger than the number obtained elsewhere—not taking cobs into account.