§ 62. Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what sum has been granted by the Exchequer to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries for the purchase and maintenance of the Tully Stud?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe Tully Stud was given to the nation, and therefore no Grant has been necessary for its purchase. An estimate has been presented to the Treasury showing that the cost of its maintenance for the next fifteen months will be about £4,000.
§ 63. Mr. MEEHANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture the amount of the Grant for the encouragement of horse-breeding made by the Development Commission to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries last year; and what Grants are arranged to be made to the Board for the encouragement of horse-breeding this year from the Development Commission or from the Exchequer?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe Grant for 1915–16 was £31,500, £26,500 of it coming from the Development Fund and £5,000 being an ordinary Exchequer Issue. For the year 1916–17, expenditure from the Exchequer not exceeding £40,000 has been authorised, and there will be no Grant from the Development Fund.
§ Mr. MEEHANCan the right hon. Gentleman state the reason for the increased Grant this year?
§ Mr. ACLANDYes, I think it is because of the anticipated great need of the Army for horses of a Cavalry type, for which on mobilisation they have to rely largely on England.
§ Mr. MEEHANWould not the same reasons apply to Ireland, where they have reduced the Grant for horse breeding?
§ Mr. ACLANDI think not quite. It is a matter of hours rather than days to get the horses.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORIs it not a fact that before the War all the remounts necessary for the Army were bought in Ireland?
§ Mr. ACLANDYes, but there is a difference between annual purchases and war mobilisation.