HC Deb 26 February 1901 vol 89 cc1186-7
COLONEL NOLAN (Galway, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the total cost of the department for purchasing horses in Ireland; also if, in view of the statement of the Financial Secretary that under 300 Irish horses were purchased from non-dealers in Ireland, he would either abolish altogether the establishment for the purchase of horses in Ireland or insist on the remount officers exhibiting by direct purchase a little more reliance on their own judgment of horseflesh; and whether the Irish farmer loses about £12 per horse by the present system of purchasing almost exclusively from dealers.

LORD STANLEY

There is no intention of abolishing the establishment for purchasing horses in Ireland. As I informed the House, efforts will be made to purchase from private individuals as well as dealers. I cannot give any information as to prices, but I will ascertain the cost of the department.

COLONEL NOLAN

If the noble Lord will look up the records he will find that exactly the same answer was given eight or nine years ago.

MAJOR RASCH

But was not the establishment started in order to get rid of the dealers?

LORD STANLEY

We wish to give equal facilities as far as possible to private individuals.

COLONEL NOLAN

Will you see that they get as good a price?

LORD STANLEY

I hope every horse is bought at its proper value.

MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

Do the representatives of the War Office in Ireland find any reluctance on the part of the Irish to sell horses to be used in the prosecution of a war to which they have a serious objection?

[No answer was given.]