§ Colonel MEYSEY-THOMPSONasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in spite of the shortage of forage in this country, hay is being deliberately burnt at several points along the railway lines, presumably by order of the railway companies; and will he take steps to have this practice put a stop to and the hay made available for the use of the nearest Army horses?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Railway Executive Committee inform me that every endeavour is being made to preserve hay on railway embankments and cuttings where possible. Generally speaking, however, the grass growing on the embankments is of so coarse a kind as to be unsuitable for forage purposes, and not worth collecting. In such circumstances1378W the best course is to burn it, or otherwise fifes occurring accidentally might endanger the adjoining crops.