§ 19. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider introducing a different system of working the national stud so that inbreeding will be reduced and stallions brought in from outside to improve the quality of the stock?
§ Mr. ELLIOTIt is the normal practice to mate the stud mares with the best outside stallions. Of the 12 yearlings recently sold at Newmarket there were two each by Blandford, Sansovino and Bosworth, and one each by Fairway and Ut Majeur in addition to four by Diligence. The stud yearlings realised an average of over £1,650 at the recent Newmarket sales, which seems a good evidence of the high quality of the stock.
§ 22. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, to improve the efficiency of the working of the national stud, he will consider introducing some system whereby representative owners generally may be enabled to interest themselves in the leasing of horses for racing purposes instead of first choice being given to one person only as is the case now?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI see no sufficient reason to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. HALL-CAINEIn view of the fact that the national stud has involved the loss of so much money, will my right hon. Friend consider opening an inquiry into the matter to see what can be done?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI will certainly be glad to keep this matter under review, but, of course, one must be guided by other considerations more than by financial ones in these delicate matters.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNWhen the right hon. Gentleman is getting out that information, will he see that we have the tips before Goodwood?