§ Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the average prices and the maximum prices usually paid by the military authorities in time of peace for remounts for Cavalry and for light and heavy draught horses, respectively; whether, in buying horses for military purposes on mobilisation, it is the practice of the War Office to issue instructions to the persons employed by them to buy horses as to the average prices and the maximum prices to be paid for such horses; whether such average or maximum prices are higher than the prices usually paid for the same class of horse in time of peace; whether the census of horses recently compiled by remount officers contains any statement as to the market value of the horses included in the census or the prices at which it is anticipated that these horses can be acquired on mobilisation; and, if not, what steps have been taken or will be taken to ensure that horses will not be taken by the military authorities on mobilisation whose market values are largely in excess of the prices which the military authorities usually pay?
§ Colonel SEELYThe average price usually paid for remounts for Cavalry is £40, and for light draught horses £42, and for heavy draught horses £55. There is no maximum price, as it is within the competence of the purchasing officer to vary individual prices according to market, so long as the average is not exceeded. Instructions as to prices are issued. The prices paid depend upon the state of the market at the time. The census contained no information as to prices. As regards mobilisation, instructions will be issued that horses of a greatly superior class to that usually employed for military purposes are not to be bought so long as other horses are forthcoming.