§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Secretary for War, whether he is aware that under the system now adopted by the War Office for the supply of horses by contract from a distance, for the purposes of the annual manœuvres, glanders was introduced into the district of Salisbury Plain, from London, in 1908, pink-eye in 1909, and parasitic mange in 1910; whether, and to what extent, such horses are submitted to veterinary inspection prior to their acceptance; and whether in future further safeguards can be provided against the infection of local live stock with disease so imported?
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§ Mr. HALDANEThere is no record at the War Office of any outbreak of glanders at the annual manœuvres in Salisbury-Plain district in 1908, of pink-eye in 1909, or parasitic mange in 1910. All hired horses are inspected by an officer of the Army Veterinary Corps as to their freedom from contagious disease, etc., before being taken into military employ, and are under the supervision of the Army Veterinary Service during their employment.