HC Deb 01 March 1911 vol 22 c379
Viscount WOLMER

asked what the deficiency of horses would be on general mobilisation at the present moment?

Mr. HALDANE

Excluding those available from the peace establishment and the registered list, 125,064 horses would be required on general mobilisation. As I have explained in my Memorandum on Army Estimates for 1911–12, it is proposed to substitute motor vehicles for horse transport on a large scale, and this may be expected greatly to reduce the number of horses required on mobilisation.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly say what the deficiency would be?

Mr. HALDANE

I do not know that there would be any deficiency. Such is the enormous quantity of horses available.

Earl WINTERTON

Do the right hon. Gentleman's figures refer to all branches of the Army or only the Regular force?

Mr. HALDANE

To all branches of the Army.

Viscount WOLMER

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to replace horse-drawn vehicles by motor-drawn?

Mr. HALDANE

We shall begin very quickly and go on by degrees.