§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the regulation by which cavalry and horse artillery officers are to hire their chargers from the Government, and at a fixed rate per annum, is now in force at home as well as in South Africa; and whether this rule is to be compulsory in all cavalry regiments and horse artillery batteries.
LORD STANLEYMounted officers of the Regular Army at home, as well as in South Africa, can hire Government horses. This rule is permissive and not obligatory.
§ MR. BARTLEYThen it depends entirely on the colonel of the regiment?
LORD STANLEYI cannot say that it does. I do not think a commanding officer would generally interfere with the desire of an officer to hire a horse.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)Is the noble Lord aware that unless this order is made compulsory no colonel will allow an officer to take a horse from the ranks?