HC Deb 24 February 1916 vol 80 cc823-4
80. Sir J. WALTON

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will further consider the possibility of dispensing with horses, for which there is no military necessity under present conditions of warfare, in order to reduce expenditure, to set free thousands of trained soldiers now employed in attending to the horses, and to set free the tonnage required to transport hay and oats for their sustenance?

Mr. FORSTER

My hon. Friend assumes that there are with the Army thousands of horses for which there is no military necessity. If that were the case, I can assure him that there would be no hesitation in dispensing with them, but, as at present advised, the military authorities do not share his view.