HC Deb 18 April 1902 vol 106 cc637-8
CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is in a position to state the names of those who obtained con-tracts for Army horses in Texas, Wyoming, and Montana, U.S.A., and also why no opportunity of tendering for these contracts was afforded to dealers in Western Canada, which district has been visited upon one occasion only by a remount purchasing Committee, whose visit was limited to a period of three months only, since the commencement of the War in South Africa.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Lord STANLEY,) Lancashire, Westhoughton

No contracts are given for horses in Texas, Wyoming, and Montana, and I am not aware of the names of the persons from whom horses were bought in those states. The purchasing operations in the United States and Canada are quite separate. I have already explained to the House the arrangements made for purchasing horses in Western Canada.

CAPTAIN NORTON

Does the noble Lord deny that there were large contracts for horses in Texas, Wyoming, and Montana?

LORD STANLEY

There were no contracts at all. We have purchasing officers there to buy, but not by contract.

CAPTAIN NORTON

And these officers give instructions to dealers to supply them with horses?

LORD STANLEY

I do not know what arrangements they make. As far as I know, they make absolutely no contracts; but, of course, they employ people to gather horses for their inspection and selection.

CAPTAIN NORTON

Will the noble Lord undertake to say that like facilities will be given to the farmers in Western Canada?

LORD STANLEY

Exactly the same facilities are given in Western Canada, mutatis mutandis, as are given in America.