§ 10. Mr. PETOasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the expense to the country of maintaining vast numbers of horses in the various horse-camps and the difficulty of keeping them in health in winter, he will consider the adoption of a system of boarding them out among selected farmers under the superintendence of county committees, and thus assist in food production?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe system of boarding out remount horses with farmers and others already obtains to a considerable extent, on terms ranging from "meat for work" to 25s. per week according to the condition of the animals and the accommodation provided, and many of these horses are at work. General Officers Commanding-in-Chief will be directed to extend the system of issuing horses on "meat for work" terms as far as is possible and expedient.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the question which deals with the appointment of county committees after these horses are boarded out with farmers?
§ Mr. TENNANTI regret that I omitted to answer that. We have in our employment in the Remount Department many local gentlemen of horsey propensities with knowledge of horse flesh and horse keeping, and it is not considered necessary in those circumstances which prevail very widely all over this country to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.