HC Deb 23 March 1920 vol 127 cc229-30
19 and 34. Captain COOTE

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the present system of the examination of boarded-out Army horses; whether the lessees of these horses are compelled to bring them to a central point from two to four times a year; that this means the complete loss of a working day to those who live at any distance from the central point, and that this involves not only loss of time, but loss of money; in view of the act that inspecting officers are provided with motor cars, whether it would be possible to arrange for more local inspections;

(2) Whether he is aware of the disatisfaction caused by the present system of the inspections of boarded-out Army [...]orses; that such inspections take place as many as four times a year, and that the lessees of the horses are compelled to bring them in to a central point from whatever distance they may happen to live; that this involves the complete loss of a working day and heavy expense; and, in view of the fact that inspecting officers are provided with motor cars, will he arrange that the inspections are more local in future?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The Agreement under which Army horses are boarded-out provides for the horses being taken by allottees to a central point within ten miles for the purpose of inspection once every six months. Inspecting officers are not provided with motor-cars, and the Clause in question was inserted in the Agreement to allow the inspection to be carried out at a minimum expense to the State.

Captain COOTE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that up to 10 miles is quite sufficient to deprive one of these allottees of the whole work of the day, and if we can bring to his notice cases where the inspector is in possession of a motor-car will he make arrangements for more local inspections?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I shall be glad to know about the motor-car or anything of that kind. More conveniently situated centres of inspection, where possible, would be an advantage, but I do not see why allottees should not take the same amount of care of these horses when taking them for inspection as if they were taking them to market or to be shod.