HC Deb 24 February 1915 vol 70 cc270-1
61. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the remount camp at or near Avonmouth; whether he is aware that this camp is situated on low-lying ground which in winter is always wet and this year is at times a swamp, and that there has been a large amount of sickness amongst the horses in consequence; and whether he will state the number of horses who have died at this camp and the number who are still there?

Mr. TENNANT

My attention has been called to the remount depot at Avonmouth by a report made to me of a visit to that place by the hon. and gallant Member for the Widnes Division of Lancashire. This depot, which covers a large area of ground, is situated generally on the slopes of a ridge, though a portion is sited on flat ground at the foot. Considering the large numbers of horses that have been landed at Avonmouth after a winter Atlantic-voyage, the percentage of deaths (.65 per cent.) is extraordinarily small, as is also the number of sick. The total number sick in veterinary hospital on the 20th instant is 588. The sickness is mainly attributable to the numbers of sick horses disembarked at the port.

Mr. RUPERT GWYNNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some parts of the camp are under water?

Mr. TENNANT

The reports to which I have alluded state that parts of the ground are liable to flooding, but on the date on which the hon. Gentleman was kind enough to make an inspection there was no flooding. That was on the 20th January. There had then been a tremendous amount of rain, and it is lather remarkable that it should not be under water. I am alluding to that portion of it which is below the level of the surrounding land and not that on the ridge higher up.

Mr. GWYNNE

Was not the right hon. Gentleman's Department warned beforehand by local residents that this lower portion was liable to flooding?

Mr. TENNANT

All I can say is that it was considered desirable to have a part of it on the low-lying ground for the purpose of shelter, and there is no cause at all to find fault with it.

62. Mr. BUTCHER

asker whether the site of the remount camp at or near Avon-mouth was selected without the knowledge of the remount officer of the district, and in spite of the representations of persons living in the neighbourhood who knew the locality?

Mr. TENNANT

The site was first selected by a remount officer of wide experience, and his selection was subsequently approved by the chief engineer and the chief veterinary officer of the Southern Command. The War Office has no cause to regret their choice, and is unaware of any representations from the inhabitants of the neighbourhood.