§ 59. Mr. RADFORDasked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the pitiable state of the survivors of the British Army horses and mules which were sold in Belgium in 1919; and whether, following 227 similar revelations with regard to those which were sold in Egypt about the same time, he will give instructions that in future no such sales shall be made abroad, but that all British Army horses and other transport animals, no longer required for service, shall either be brought back to Britain or painlessly destroyed by our Army authorities in the country where they may be?
§ Sir V. WARRENDERYes, Sir, my right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to this matter. It has for some time been the policy of the Army Council that all horses and transport animals which become surplus to military requirements while abroad shall be either brought back to the United Kingdom or destroyed under military supervision, and instructions to this effect have been issued. None will be sold to local inhabitants.
§ Mr. RADFORDWhile thanking my hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him to convey the assurance to his right hon. Friend that his decision will give widespread satisfaction throughout the country?