§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office how many-Artillery horses and chargers have been brought back from France during 1917 and 1918; by what method were they sold and through what agency; and how it is proposed after peace comes to dispose of all horses, mules, etc., not required for any further military purposes?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo Artillery horses have been brought back from France during 1917–18. Seventy-two chargers have been returned, of which fifty came back with general and other senior officers transferred to appointments at home. Eleven have been sold at 1131W a valuation to the relatives of the deceased officers to whom they belonged before being taken over by the State on transfer to France, and eleven charger mares cast as unfit for further service have been resold at a valuation to their former owners for breeding purposes under Army Order 380 of 1915. The plans for the disposal of animals on demobilisation are not yet completed. A very large number of the horses in France will be repatriated and sold by public auction.