HC Deb 17 December 1958 vol 597 cc1101-2
11. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the date on which the draught horse, Josephine, was selected for service at the Command Ordnance Depot, Didcot, the reason which prompted the commander to make a personal selection of this horse, the date on which it was taken on the Command Ordnance Depot, Didcot, strength, the number of occasions on which it has pulled the garbage cart since being taken on strength, and the last occasion on which it was so employed.

Mr. Soames

The horse was selected by the commandant, at the invitation of the remount depot, on 18th September. It was sent to Didcot on 1st October. Since the beginning of November it has pulled the cart on every working day and is still so employed.

Mr. Wigg

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the horse has not pulled the cart this week? In view of the fact that it was specially selected by the commandant for attributes which I am sure the right hon. Gentleman would appreciate, will he not consider matching it against le Pretendant two miles over hurdles and perhaps also match it with le Pretendant at pulling a garbage cart at Didcot?

Mr. Soames

The hon. Member must not be too much carried away by his recent appointment—on which we all congratulate him—to the Racecourse Betting Control Board.

12. Mr. Wigg

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the date on which a privately-owned horse, Moira, was first stabled and fed at Government expense at the Command Ordnance Depot, Didcot; what was the date on which repayment to public funds was first made; and by whom the animal is owned.

Mr. Soames

The horse called Moira is privately owned and is on loan to the commandant at Didcot. He pays a stabling charge which was assessed as soon as the horse was brought in on 7th October. Fodder is bought privately. No expense for this horse has ever fallen on public funds.

Mr. Wigg

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the 64,000 dollar question? When were vouchers for repayment for stabling and feeding first presented to the commandant? I understand that no vouchers of any kind were presented until my Question appeared on the Order Paper.

Mr. Soames

If the hon. Member had taken the trouble to come and see me on all these questions about Didcot I could have settled them with him. There has been no question of any vouchers because the horse has not been in stables for a full quarter and the money is paid only quarterly. The day after the horse arrived the War Office land agent visited the place and assessed the rent.

Mr. Paget

If an officer has the good fortune to find on his establishment two horses for pulling a garbage cart, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider the officer was somewhat lacking in officer qualities if he did not succeed in wangling a hunter out of it?

Mr. Soames

In fact, there are two horses for two garbage carts. I can assure the hon. and learned Member that they are put to good use.

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