§ 13. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the approximate number of remounts at present maintained by the British Army; and what proportion of these were bred elsewhere than in Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
§ Mr. COOPERAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the information given on page 15 of Army Estimates for the current year. I regret that the information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.
§ 14. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, what steps are taken by his Department to ascertain whether it would be possible to obtain the entire supply of Army remounts within Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and whether any changes have been made in this respect during the past two years with a view to ensuring that the maximum proportion of British horses is obtained for this purpose?
§ Mr. COOPERThe policy of the Department is based on experience. We endeavour to encourage the farmer breeder both in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but we keep in touch with the Irish Free State, Which provides a valuable auxiliary market. The only recent change in the position is a decision to re-introduce a Government subsidy in aid of light horse breeding.