HC Deb 14 July 1908 vol 192 cc610-1
MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he is yet able to make any statement with regard to the steadily diminishing supply of horses throughout the country.

THE TREASURER OF THE HOUSE-HOLD (Sir EDWARD STRACHEY,) Somersetshire, S.

The Board's proposals are that a limited number of selected stallions and mares shall be registered. Their stock will subsequently be separately registered. In addition to service fee paid by owner of mare, the owners of stallions are to receive an additional fee for every registered mare in foal to a registered stallion. It is intended that help shall be given in special cases to owners of mares by payment or part payment of ordinary covering fee. Remount Department will arrange to inspect foals of registered sires and mares at three years old, and to purchase their annual supplies from amongst them. They will report all suitable foals not purchased by them to the Board for registration. Those purchased will be left with owners till wanted and payments will be made towards their keep till taken over. A Consultative Committee will be appointed to assist the Departments in carrying out the scheme.

MR. ASHLEY

Will provision be made in the Estimates next year for carrying this excellent scheme into effect?

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

These are proposals and not a scheme. As regards provision being made in the Estimates, I must have notice of that Question.

MR. ASHLEY

Who is to decide whether these proposals are to be given effect to or not? Is it the Board of Agriculture?

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

These proposals will, of course, have to come before the Treasury for sanction.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is it not the fact that these remedial measures will benefit foreign Powers quite as much as our own people, and [therefore for Army purposes the scheme is of no use?

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

I do not think so.

MR. SOARES (Devonshire, Barnstaple)

Will the exportation of these horses be prohibited?

SIR EDWARD STRACHEY

I think that is problematical.