HC Deb 23 February 1910 vol 14 cc211-2
Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked the Secretary for War if he will state what progress has been made towards securing a supply of horses available for the Army in time of war?

Mr. HALDANE

For the past two months the police have been engaged in making a census of the horses in the United Kingdom. A Memorandum explaining the methods by which the horses required for military purposes will be made available in time of war has been submitted to county associations for their consideration. As soon as the complete results of the police census reach the War Office, further and more detailed instructions will be issued to the associations.

An HON. MEMBER

What arrangements are being made in Ireland?

Mr. HALDANE

The Constabulary are doing the work.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Is the Memorandum of which the right hon. Gentleman speaks available to Members of the House?

Mr. HALDANE

The Memorandum to the associations is available to any Member who wishes to have it. It has been published.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Were the police supposed to have completed their inquiries by December?

Mr. HALDANE

No; we have got a large number of results, but not all. I should think we have got in more than half the results. It has taken the police some time. It has naturally been a difficult business, but the results are coming in daily.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Have they to be returned by any particular time?

Mr. HALDANE

No; we asked them to take a census, and they agreed to take a census in December, and complete the work as soon as possible; but it is very new to the people of this country to have a census taken of horses.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Were any detailed instructions given to the chief constables, or to whom were they given, as to how the police were to make the inquiry?

Mr. HALDANE

It was arranged at a conference which took place at the War Office. It was held there with the military authorities, and in that way the instructions were shaped.

Captain FABER

Did any of the chief constables refuse to give the information required?

Mr. HALDANE

No, I do not think so, but I see from one of the papers that one of the chief constables said the results were obtained upon a particular basis which I know was a surprise to me. I think a great many people did not know that the police had this power and that horses may be taken in case of war.