HC Deb 15 July 1909 vol 7 cc2297-8
Mr. BALDWIN

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the hay at first supplied to the horses of the Worcestershire Yeomanry during their recent training was quite uneatable; and whether he will caution the contractors concerned?

The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)

The General Officer Commanding reports that with regard to the hay which was at first supplied to the Worcestershire Yeomanry during this year's training, some trusses were rejected, not because they were uneatable, but because they consisted of hard hay, and the regiment preferred soft hay. All trusses rejected were willingly exchanged by the contractor. No further action is considered necessary.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow the county associations to do their own contracting?

Mr. HALDANE

No; that cannot be done. The question is founded on a total misunderstanding. In camp these things are supplied by the Commander-in-Chief and the staff under him. The change has been made from the old system in order to ensure complete preparation for war.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to draw a distinction between hay which is uneatable and the hay which the horses refuse to eat?

Mr. HALDANE

If the hon. Member will inquire of any officer of experience in regard to the matter he will find the answer is not unreasonable.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

I have had a good deal of experience myself in buying hay at the time of the South African War—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must reserve his remarks until a proper opportunity.

Mr. LYULPH STANLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman make general inquiry into the subject, because it is obvious that there are general complaints as to the supply of oats and hay to Yeomanry regiments?

Mr. HALDANE

I am quite aware that there have been a good many complaints, and there will be until the system is established.

Mr. BALDWIN

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the horse rugs supplied to the Worcestershire Yeomanry during their recent training were of very inferior quality; and whether he will take steps to see that the Yeomanry are supplied with as good rugs as are supplied to the Regular Cavalry?

Mr. HALDANE

No complaint has been received in the War Office concerning these horse rugs. There is no reason to suppose that they were of inferior quality, as they were new and of the latest pattern introduced for the service, no distinction being made between the Yeomanry and Regular Cavalry in this respect.