HC Deb 10 March 1904 vol 131 c734
SIR WALTER THORBURN (Peebles and Selkirk)

To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, looking to the inconvenience and loss sustained by hotel keepers in the border counties of Scotland, by the billeting of soldiers and horses upon them en route to and from Stobbs Camp, especially in the tourist season, he will make arrangements whereby, at all events in the summer months, cavalry on the march will carry their own transport and thus avoid the alleged grievance.

(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) If the troops were not billeted camping grounds would have to be hired, and this, added to the expense of trans porting camp equipment, would add considerably to the cost. It is therefore hold that, though the hotelkeepers may suffer some slight inconvenience, this large increase to the public charges could not be justified.