§ Mr. GUINNESSasked whether, under Equipment Regulations, Part III., nosebags are only issued to regiments of Imperial Yeomanry during their camping period; whether regiments are allowed to mark them in order to avoid danger of infection by securing that the same horse should always use the same nose-bag; whether such marking would involve a charge for defacement of equipment; and, if so, whether the regulations may be altered so that each regiment may retain its nose-bags as part of the permanent equipment?
§ Colonel SEELYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. When it is desired to mark a nose-bag in order to avoid danger of infection the mark must be of a temporary nature; for instance, a tally attached to the bag, otherwise a charge for defacement can be made. I do not think it is desirable to make the nose-bag an article of permanent equipment.
§ Mr. GUINNESSDoes the hon. Gentleman, speaking from his practical experience, say that a tally of that kind will be any security against the men exchanging?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMark them with a double X.
§ Colonel SEELYI cannot vary the answer I have given.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEHow can the hon. Gentleman expect a Yeomanry force to be properly mobilised when the necessary articles of equipment in the shape of nose-bags are 200 or 300 miles away?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not know of any case where the necessary articles of equipment are 200 or 300 miles away from the camp. If the Noble Lord can give me an instance I will have inquiry made.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEIs the lion. Gentleman not aware that yeomanry camps in Scotland are held about 250 miles from Stirling or Perth?
§ Colonel SEELYI have said if the Noble Lord can give me any instance where the necessary articles of equipment are 250 miles away I will inquire. I know the Noble Lord can mobilise his force without nose-bags.
§ Mr. GUINNESSWhat advantage will there be in a temporary mark. If a man loses his nose-bag he can rub off the mark and take another man's nose-bag, and use it for his own horse.
§ Colonel SEELYThese are matters of detail which I shall be glad to discuss with the hon. Gentleman at the proper time and place. But I do not think it wise to worry the House with these technical points at length.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKEROrder, order. Enough questions have been asked on this point. It is unfair to other hon. Members with questions on the Paper that so many supplementary questions should be put.