§ 87. Mr. T. M. HEALYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) what is being done to secure the return of brood mares unfit for war service?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)Owing to the danger of introducing equine disease, the Department do not favour the return to Ireland of mares from the front.
§ Mr. HEALYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there is not a very strong feeling in the country that we are being depleted of horses and that nothing whatever is being done to renew the stock; and must not some risk be run in war time or the country will be absolutely short of horses?
§ Mr. RUSSELLNo, we are very far from being short of horses. The hon. Member will recollect what happened on the return of horses to Ireland after the South African War. Ireland for three years after that suffered from equine disease and had great trouble. I have summoned an advisory committee, and the Department is acting on the best advice.
§ Mr. HEALYHas the right hon. Gentleman got the resolution of the Cork Breeders' Association asking the Government to take some steps, and does he not think, having regard to the number of horses and mares unfitted for war service, that something should be done by experienced men for the country?