§ MR. JOSEPH A. PEASE (Essex, Saffron Walden)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, can he state how many horses have been captured or taken in South Africa during the war; how many have been purchased there; how many purchased in the United Kingdom, British Dependencies (other than those in South Africa), and other countries for the use of the British forces in South Africa; and what has been the average price paid per horse for the horses drawn from each of the above areas up to the latest date for which information is available.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe number of horses captured in South Africa, which have been reported by Lord Kitchener, amounts to 89,705. It should be remembered that in the number of captures all horses are enumerated, and not only those suitable for military purposes. About 25,000 have been reported as commandeered and purchased. The numbers purchased in other countries between 1st October, 1899, and 31st December, 1901, are as follows—
In South Africa the total number of horses and mules purchased amounts approximately to 228,000. The separate figures of horses cannot immediately be separated from mules. The publication of the exact prices has always been declined. Any statement of average price would be taken at once as the lowest price which a dealer should obtain.
United Kingdom 59,800 South America 25,872 United States of America 77,101 Canada 11,304 Horses shipped from Hungarian ports 23,936 Australia 20,015