HC Deb 08 March 1900 vol 80 cc377-8
MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of horses purchased for the Army in Ireland during the last year; and whether, in view of the number of Irish horses suitable for Army purposes, he will see that at least a fair proportion of the War Office orders for horses are placed in Ireland.

*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS (for Mr. WYNDHAM)

The number of horses purchased in Ireland during the last twelve months is 4,746. Every effort is made—

MR. T. M. HEALY

No, no! No effort at all.

*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS

Every effort is made to obtain horses for the Army in Ireland, but trained horses of suitable ages are very difficult to obtain there.

CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)

Is it not the fact that no agents whatever are appointed to purchase horses in the south of Ireland?

*MR. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS

It is not necessary. The Remount Department is sufficiently strong for all purposes of purchase.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many of the horses purchased in Austria were got out of sires sent out of Ireland for that purpose?

[No answer was given.]

CAPTAIN DONELAN

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the total of horses he mentioned was purchased in Munster?

[No answer was given.]