§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War what amount of money has been expended in Ireland since the beginning of the War in the purchase of horses for the Army; and whether there are at present in Ireland thousands of such suitable horses which could be purchased at reasonable prices instead of going to Canada and elsewhere for them?
§ Mr. FORSTERI cannot undertake to provide my hon. Friend with the figures for which he asks, the compilation of which would take a great deal of time. I may, however, say that I am informed by the Irish Department of Agriculture that the horse population of Ireland1556W decreased between June, 1914, and June, 1915, by 58,111; In these circumstances, it is not anticipated that there will be a very large number of matured horses available in Ireland this year, but I can assure my hon. Friend that such suitable horses as there are will be bought in preference to reopening purchase in America, which as a matter of fact ceased last November