§ 27. Mr. SMITH-CARINGTONasked the Minister of Agriculture what increase, if any, has been made in the scale of heavy-horse grants since 1914; and how much those grants cost last year?
Mr. GUINNESSThe scale of grants to Heavy Horse Societies has not been varied since 1914. The total sum paid in respect of such grants to societies in England and Wales in the past financial year was £7,517.
§ 28. Mr. SMITH-CARINGTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the increased cost of maintaining studs, which has resulted in the decline of heavy-horse breeding and threatens to produce a serious shortage in a few years' time, he can see his way to recommending an increase in the scale of grants for heavy-horse breeding?
Mr. GUINNESSI have recently received representations from the Shire Horse Society suggesting an increase in the scale of grants for heavy-horse breeding, and the matter is now receiving my consideration.