MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked what is the number of policemen in Ireland who are qualified to examine a horse for soundness or for fitness for military purposes; and how the inspection is to be carried out in those districts where the police are not experts?
§ Mr. ACLANDAs my right hon. Friend pointed out to the Noble Lord in the Debate on the Army Annual Bill, it is proposed that the preparation of the necessary lists of horses in Ireland shall 1572 be carried out entirely by the military authorities in that country, after first obtaining the authority of the Lord Lieutenant. No question therefore of the qualification of policemen for this duty arises.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs it not specially provided in the Army Annual Act that the Irish Constabulary will be responsible for the return, and is it not a fact that I brought forward an Amendment suggesting that the military authorities might be allowed to do it?
§ Mr. ACLANDMy recollection is that my right hon. Friend's statement was the direct contrary to that stated by the Noble Lord.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORMay I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the constabulary in Ireland are usually recruited from the farming class, and that in consequence their training is considerable, and they are the best judges of horseflesh in the country?
§ Mr. ACLANDI think that very likely may be so.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked in view of the fact that the constabulary in Ireland are to be the only authority for drawing up the census and classifying horses in Ireland for military purposes, if the War Office has received assurances, and from whom, that, in the event of the constabulary being under the control of a separate legislature, permission will be given to the Constabulary to carry out this task?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe police authority in Ireland for the purposes of the Army Act is the Lord Lieutenant. The assumption upon which the Noble Lord's question is based is erroneous, and the reply to the question is therefore in the negative.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORWhat connection is there between the judging of horseflesh and Home Rule for Ireland?
§ Mr. ACLANDI cannot give an answer to that.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask whether there are two horse schemes for Ireland, one given by the Under-Secretary and the other by the Secretary of State for War?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe answer I have given is in accordance with all the statements made on the subject.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked whether, under the new horse scheme the general officer commanding having received his authority from the Territorial Association, is responsible to the association; and, if not, to whom is he to be responsible?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe general officer commanding-in-chief will place the proper officers under his command at the disposal of the county associations for the purposes of the horse census. He is responsible to the Army Council. My right hon. Friend fully explained the situation during the course of the Debate on the Army (Annual) Bill,
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask if the Territorial Association does not delegate its power to the general officer commanding-in-chief, who therefore must be a subordinate?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, I think not. The scheme will be administered by sensible people in a sensible way, and I do not think any of these difficulties will, as a matter of fact, arise.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask whether, under those circumstances, it would not be better to eliminate the Territorial Associations altogether instead of having divided control?
§ Mr. ACLANDI have nothing to add to what was said very fully in the Debate.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked in view of the fact that civilians may be employed under the new horse scheme, and will be subject to discipline under the general officer commanding, under what regulation will they come and to what punishments will they be liable; and will they have the right of appeal to the delegating and apparently superior authority, the Territorial Association?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe civilians who may be appointed by the county associations will act under the instructions of the associations, and, if found unsatisfactory, will doubtless be removed from their appointments by the associations.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEAre these civilians to be appointed by the general officer commanding-in-chief?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo; they will be appointed by the association.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs the association to appoint people as well as the general officer commanding-in-chief?
§ Mr. ACLANDYes; the two authorities will act in co-operation, as I have said.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked whether Territorial, Infantry, and cyclist adjutants are included in the list of officers required to inspect horses under the new remount scheme?
§ Mr. ACLANDYes, Sir; if they are suitably qualified for the purpose.