§ Mr. REESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Government proposed to give any grant for horse breeding, and to arrange for the ear-marking of certain classes of horses which, in return for monetary consideration, their owners would undertake not to export, but to retain in the country for military purposes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Edward Strachey)We hope to be able to obtain a grant for the encouragement of horse breeding out of the Development Fund established by the Act of last Session. The suggestion made in the latter part of the question is one for the consideration of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.
§ Mr. COURTHOPEHas any application been made by the Board of Agriculture with regard to this?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYWe shall make it at the proper time.
§ Mr. REESMay I ask whether under a voluntary system of payment of a premium once for all for each brood mare or gelding, a stud of 50,000 of either class could be ear-marked and made available when required for military purposes?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYWe hope to obtain a grant out of the Development Fund for this purpose, but I regard the other part of the question as hypothetical.