HC Deb 14 September 1909 vol 10 cc1925-6
Mr. HUNT

asked whether Trooper A. Cairns, a recruit this year of the Lothian and Border Horse Yeomanry, is entitled to the £12 won by him in the regimental races on a horse hired by the Govern- ment, or whether it must be paid to the contractors who supplied the horse and who are now claiming the money?

Mr. HALDANE

Nothing is known of this matter at the War Office, nor does it come within the purview of the Army Council. I therefore regret that I am not in a position to give the hon. and gallant Member any ruling on the point.

Mr. HUNT

How is the man to find out whether he is to keep the money? In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is a great lawyer as well as a great war lord, perhaps he would say?

Mr. HALDANE

Yes; but I am wholly unskilled in the procedure of race meetings. As I already suggested, it would be much better to refer the matter to some person of great eminence in the country, like the hon. Member, for arbitration.

Mr. HUNT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware this has nothing to do with race meetings? It is a question of money.

Mr. HALDANE

I am afraid the whole root of the evil in this case, as in others, lay in the £12.

Mr. HUNT

Does not the right hon. Gentleman see it was the Government that hired the horse?