§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Lord Kitchener has reported the absence of horses up country for a large number of trained regular soldiers belonging to the mounted branches of His Majesty's forces; whether there are also engaged in warlike operations a considerable number of the police, especially picked for mounted duty, who are without horses; whether Lord Kitchener still reports the supply of horses in South Africa to be sufficient, and what steps the Government are now taking to increase the supply of ponies or small horses, especially South African or British bred.
LORD STANLEYI have no information in regard to the first and second paragraphs of the Question: no such report has been received from Lord Kitchener. Lord Kitchener has reported that the numbers proposed to be for-warded to South Africa during March, April, and May would meet his requirements. Over 14,000 horses were shipped in March.
§ * SIR CHARLES DILKEThe first paragraph of my Question is based on information from South Africa; the second on a statement of fact by the Government.