§ MR. MANSFIELD (Lincolnshire, Spalding)To ask the hon. Member for North Hunts, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, will he state when he proposes to proceed with the Compensation for Sparks Bill, as promised by his predecessor; and whether he has yet issued the circulars giving particulars to farmers and horse breeders of the requirements of the War Office for Army horses, which were also promised by his predecessor.
† See page 387.1178 (Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fellowes.) The question of the payment of compensation for damage done by sparks from railway engines is engaging the attention of my noble friend, but we are not aware of any promise given by our late colleague to introduce legislation on the subject. In any case, the condition of public business is such that it would not be possible for any legislation to be undertaken during the present session. With regard to the second part of the Question, the War Office have issued a leaflet giving particulars of the regulations with regard to the purchase of Army Remounts. This leaflet has been published in the Journal of the Board of Agriculture, and copies have been sent to applicants for information on the subject. I have given directions that a copy shall be sent to the hon. Member. We shall be glad to consider whether any further steps can with advantage be taken to give publicity to the War Office requirements, but I may say that the number of horses purchased annually in normal times of peace is stated by that office to be not more than 2,500.