§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he can state the number of horses of all ages that are being used for pleasure and sport in the United Kingdom which are living on the best food of the land, and if it is the intention of the Government to put them upon a restricted supply of forage on similar lines to what the Food Controller is suggesting for the people of this country; and if he intends taking any action in having such horses used for productive purposes?
Captain BATHURSTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. There are no complete returns of the number of horses other than those on farms. The subject of the consumption of valuable food by horses used for pleasure or sport has been brought to the notice of the Food Controller, who hopes that owners of such horses will curtail very considerably the consumption of oats and other grain by 993W such animals. If this is not done voluntarily, it will be necessary to adopt other methods.