HC Deb 02 December 1912 vol 44 c1887
108. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any official information to show that the bulk of the large and increasing number of horses, valued at a million and a half pounds, annually exported from the United Kingdom are unfitted for military requirements at home, and are not in fact used for military purposes abroad; and, if so, what is the source of such information?

Colonel SEELY

The statement which I made in reply to the hon. Gentleman's question on this subject on the 27th November, to the effect that 50 per cent, of the exported horses were sent for slaughter, was based on information regarding their sale value supplied by the Board of Agriculture. It may be assumed that all horses sold for less than £5 and a large number of the horses sold for less than £10 are unfitted for military requirements at home.