§ 9. Sir JOHN BARRANasked the Undersecretary of State for War whether he will say what is the present oats ration for Army horses; whether he is aware that certain classes of Army horses are receiving a ration far beyond their needs, and even capacity for consumption, while horses in civilian employ doing harder work are being underfed from want of oats; and whether he will investigate the matter with a view to further action?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Forster)I will circulate in the Official Report the scale of grain ration issued to Army horses in this country. It is not considered advisable to reduce the ration further. I would add that in the case of horses in veterinary hospitals, the ration has been reduced considerably below this scale, and any further reduction is impracticable.
§ The fllowng is the scale referred to:
| GRAIN ISSUED TO HORSES AT HOME. | ||||
| — | Rations in permanent or temporary stables. | Rations in camp. | ||
| Oats. | Maize. | Oats. | Maize. | |
| Heavy draught horses | 11 lbs. | 4 lbs. | 11 lbs. | 4 lbs. |
| Officers' chargers and all riding horses of 15 hands 1½ inclusive and upwards | 10 lbs. | — | 10 lbs. | — |
| Riding horses (other than officers' chargers) under 15 hands 1½, and pack horses | 9 lbs. | — | 10 lbs. | — |
| Light draught horses | 7 lbs. | 3. lbs | 8lbs. | 3 lbs. |
| Heavy draught mules | — | 12 lbs. | — | 13 lbs. |
| Light draught mules | — | 10lbs. | — | 10lbs. |
| Pack mules | — | 6 lbs. | — | 7 lbs. |
§ Sir J. BARRANHas the right hon. Gentleman inquired as to whether in point of fact there are not certain classes of horses doing certain kinds of work for which the ration is really bigger than the horse can possibly consume; and if I send him particulars will he look further into the matter?
§ Mr. FORSTERYes, certainly. I have inquired, and am told that it is not the case; but if the hon. Gentleman has any instances and will bring them to my notice I will willingly look into them.