HC Deb 23 July 1915 vol 73 cc1817-8W
Mr. ANDERSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention, has been drawn to appeals for money from Mrs. C. Bird, wife of Quartermaster-sergeant Bird, C.L.Y., of Bacton-an-Sea, issued in the name of Wendy, a chestnut mare, to provide portable sun shelters for Army horses; whether he has seen similar appeals from Mr. Haigh, of Ingham, issued in the name of Togo, a black spaniel, for money to buy kennel huts for Belgian army dogs and wind-shelter hurdles for British Army horses; whether the War Office know anything about these portable sun shelters and wind-shelter hurdles or have been consulted as to the necessity for this appeal; and whether, seeing that the war necessities provide unlimited scope for the exploiting of generous and charitable people, steps will be taken to place war appeals under some measure of public Control?

Mr. TENNANT

Nothing is known in the War Office of the appeals referred to. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been authorised by the Department to collect funds and coordinate offers of assistance for horses of the British Army, and this has been frequently notified in the Press. Endeavours are made in this and other directions to direct the charitable activities of the public by officially recognising certain appeals from time to time, but the hon. Member will realise that there are limits to the exercise of control over charitable and voluntary efforts.

Mr. PETO

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the appeals of Mr. M. L. Tyler and others in the public Press for funds to supply the troops at the front with sandbags is authorised by the War Office; and whether these and other parts of the necessary equipment are provided by the War Department out of public funds, or whether there is any need for private appeals to the public for this purpose?

Mr. FORSTER

The appeals referred to have not been authorised by the War Office, and as the necessary number of sandbags is sent out at the public expense, these private appeals appear to be misplaced.