§ MR. PIRIEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the Return of horses embarked for South Africa, in which it is shown that from January, 1900 to December 1901, a total of 242,000 horses were embarked, giving an average of over 10,000 per month, rising to 20,000 during the month of December, 1901, if he can state by whose orders this average was allowed to fall to 2,000 per month during October and November, 1900; and, owing to this reduction in the replacing of horse-wastage during these months, how long was it before the South African force recovered mobile power for effective operations of war, and before the supply of horse flesh was again equal to the demand, and, seeing the necessity of foresight for the promotion of a horse reserve and of preparation in advance, if he can state what orders have been issued to the Remount Department as to the numbers of horses to be provided during the first four months of this year.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe purchase of horses has been regulated by the supplies demanded from South Africa. In reply to the second paragraph, the present demand from South Africa is for 10,000 horses a month, but in January 16,000 were shipped. The 1274 total shipments for February, March and April will probably considerably exceed 10,000 a month, but I cannot bind myself to any precise figure.
§ MR. PIRIEAm I to understand that in October and November, 1900, only 2,000 horses were asked for from South Africa?
§ MR. BRODRICKAll the demands for South Africa have been met.
§ [No answer was returned.]