§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that it is proposed to give a Government grant of £10,000 to the English Board of Agriculture for the purpose of building up a breeding stud of mares to furnish remounts for the Army; whether it is proposed that the Government 937 should own each mare, and let it out to the farmer to breed from and work on his farm, the farmer providing the stallion fee and mare's keep, and having the right to sell the foal to the highest bidder; and whether it is proposed to give a similar grant for similar purposes to the Irish Board of Agriculture.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department of Agriculture are aware that communications have taken place between the War Office and the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries on the question of encouragement of the breeding of horses suitable for Army purposes. They are not aware that any definite scheme has yet been decided upon. The Department are themselves in communication with the War Office on the subject, so far as regards Ireland.