66. Captain COOTEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that early in the year county council agricultural executive committees were approached by the Army Remount Department with a view to finding suitable custodians for Army horses; that these committees thereupon advertised for custodians among smallholders and ex-Service men; that all horses have been allocated to contractors instead of to such men; and whether, in view of the suitability of such men as custodians and the national advantage to be derived from entrusting horses to their care, he will arrange for a further supply of horses be allocated to county agricultural executive committees for distribution as they think fit?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe scheme for boarding-out Army horses was introduced to enable a reserve of horses to be maintained in the hands of approved custodians, available for the annual training of the Territorial force, and in the event of a national emergency. The scheme is not designed to benefit any particular portion of the community, but to place the horses where they will be best cared for.
The number now placed is 15,000, a figure which it is not intended to exceed, and, though accurate numbers cannot be given with reference to commands, it is estimated that at least 50 per cent. of the horses are in the hands of farmers.
Captain COOTEIs it not in the national interest, apart from the necessity that those horses should be boarded out, that they should be engaged in food production and suitable labour?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLYes.