§ 13. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that five voluntary societies are competing against each other for funds to ameliorate the treatment and conditions of horses engaged in warfare; whether so many organisations working independently of each other tend to a waste of effort and money; whether the deficiencies of the Army Veterinary Corps are such as to require the assistance of so much charitable effort; whether these appeals are made with the sanction and approval of the 1155 War Office; and, if so, will the War Office exercise some supervision over the administration of these funds?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the only society recognised and authorised by the Army Council to collect funds for the provision of comforts for horses in veterinary hospitals. The expenditure of the money thus collected is under the direction of the War Office. The offers of other societies have not been accepted. I agree with my hon. Friend that it is undesirable that there should be a waste of effort owing to different organisations working independently, but the War Office is not able to do anything more definite than to express disapproval of such independent and unauthorised appeals.