Mr. PULLEYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the number and cost, including all expenses in connection with the delivery at the depots, of the heavy horses purchased for military purposes outside the United Kingdom since 4th August, 1914, to 30th June last, the average price paid for these heavy horses purchased outside the United Kingdom, including the expenses referred to in 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918 to 30th June, and similar particulars and comparison of prices for heavy horses purchased for military purposes within the United Kingdom; and similar information and particulars for the light horses purchased for military purposes outside and within the United Kingdom, respectively?
§ Mr. FORSTERI would refer the hon. Member to the oral reply which I gave this afternoon to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for the College Green Division of Dublin.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what prices are paid in America and Canada for troopers and chargers, and what prices are paid for similar animals in Ireland; on what grounds such a differentiation of prices exists or is it that the Irish trooper or charger is inferior to the American or Canadian; and what are the prices to which Government buyers can go to at this moment in the purchase of these animals in England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively?
1571W
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is not desirable in the public interest to give the detailed information asked for in the question, but, speaking generally, the price of the Irish horse is higher than that of the Canadian or American.