HC Deb 20 September 1939 vol 351 cc936-7
28. Lord Apsley

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of Army horses sold to Germany during the last four years and the average price paid for each?

The Financial Secretary to the War Office (Sir Victor Warrender)

The sale of surplus Army horses has been effected by public auction, and I have no information as to the number, if any, that have reached Germany.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not the case that because of the sale of horses to Germany we are short of them for Army purposes?

Sir V. Warrender

No, Sir.

Mr. Shinweil

Does the hon. Gentleman say that that is not so?

Lord Apsley

Is there any possibility of tracing how many of these old Army horses went abroad, and how many of them were sold to Germany?

Sir V. Warrender

Obviously it would require very elaborate machinery to establish the whereabouts of Army horses that were sold by auction.

Sir H. Williams

Is it not a fact that the number of horses sold to Germany is shown by the Board of Trade returns to have been negligible?

29. Lord Apsley

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of horses being purchased for the Army and the average price paid for each?

Sir V. Warrender

My Noble Friend will, I hope, appreciate that it would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.