§ 30. Sir FREDERICK BANBURYasked if, in view of the shortage of horses in this country, he would make arrangements for the return to this country of all Army horses, whether cast or not, on the termination of the War, and of all cast horses at the present time?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONArrangements have been made, in consultation with the "Advisory Council for the Disposal of Surplus War Stores," for the repatriation of a very large number of the Army horses in France on the termination of the War, but it is not anticipated that shipping facilities will be available to bring back any large number of animals from other 764 theatres of war. It has been decided, after consultation with the Board of Agriculture, not to return to this country horses now cast in France.
§ Sir F. BANBURYWill the undertaking given by the Government about one and a half years or two years ago that no cast Army horses would be destroyed will still be adhered to, and whether, in view of the great shortage of horses in this country, it would be possible to return to this country horses now cast in France?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI am afraid that it would be extremely difficult to do so because of the enormous demand for transport facilities for men and munitions.
§ Sir F. BANBURYWill it be possible to do this in the Eastern theatres of war?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI have not dealt with that question in my answer, but I will go into it.