HC Deb 20 July 1908 vol 192 cc1473-4
SIR SAMUEL SCOTT (Marylebone, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War it he will state how many of the County Associations have agreed to carry out an inquiry as to the number of horses suitable for Army purposes within their boundaries; whether it is to be left to the County Associations to discriminate between those horses which are suitable for Army pur- poses and those which are not; and whether the War Office proposes to appoint officers to assist them in their task.

M. HALDANE

If the hon. Baronet will kindly refer to Section 2 of the Territorial and Reserve Forces Act he will find that the matter referred to in the first part of the Question are part of the duties of the Association; no question of agreement can therefore arise. The Deputy Assistant Directors of Remounts have been placed at the service of the Associations to assist them in discriminating between those horses which are suitable for Army purposes and those which are not. It is not proposed to appoint any other officers to assist the Associations.

EARL WINTERTON (Sussex, Horsham)

How many Associations have acted on the instructions?

MR. HALDANE

I have no knowledge.

EARL WINTERTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain before this period of the session closes?

MR. HALDANE

Perhaps the noble Lord will put down a Question.