§ 107. Mr. BRIANTasked the Secretary of State for War if he has any official in formation showing that horses and mules formerly employed in the British Army and now sold in Persia are treated with wanton cruelty by their present owners; and if he will take steps to see that in future they are disposed of in India or other British Possessions where they will be treated with humanity?
Captain GUEST (Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)On the 3rd May last the General Officer Commanding in-Chief in Mesopotamia cabled that he had found it desirable to discontinue the sale of draught horses to local inhabitants, owing to their unsuitability for the work they are called upon to do. Beyond this, no information has been received which would suggest that the animals are cruelly treated. I think the General Commanding and the civil authorities may be trusted to deal with any instances of cruelty should occasion arise.
§ Mr. BRIANTWill my hon. Friend read a letter from an officer in Mesopotamia now in my possession giving evidence of cruelty to horses, if I send him a copy?