Major DAVIESasked the Under-secretary of State for War what are the maximum prices which the Army Remount Department are authorised to pay in purchasing light horses for Army requirements; what these prices were in 1914; and whether, having regard to the increased cost of production during the last three years, he will consider the advisability of revising these maximum prices in accordance with the increased cost of production and to prevent the light-horse breeding industry from extinction?
§ Mr. FORSTERIt is not desirable in the public interest to state the maximum prices which Army buyers are authorised to pay, but they are substantially in advance of the prices current in 1914. The considerations referred to in the latter part of the question have not been lost sight of.
Major DAVIESasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, in fixing prices relating to agricultural products, the Ministry of Food is guided by the cost of production in the case of each individual animal; and 2405W whether the War Office are prepared to adopt the same principle for the purchase of light horses for the Army?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe principles upon which the Ministry of Food fixes the price of cattle and other animals as meat cannot be applied in the ease of horses, whose value depends upon many points such as conformation, action, quality, condition, and training. In buying light horses Army purchasers are guided by current market values, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to depart from that principle.
Major DAVIESasked the Under-secretary of State for War whether he can state how many horses are still toeing bought by the Government in America and the Argentine; whether all the available sources of supply have been exhausted in this country; and whether it is proposed to commandeer any more light horses until the maximum price for these horses has been readjusted in accordance with the increased cost of production?
§ Mr. FORSTERApproximately 12,000 horses and mules have been purchased in the United States of America during 1918; none have been bought in Argentina. Available sources of supply in the United Kingdom have not yet been completely exhausted, as there are young horses constantly maturing. Approximately 7,000 animals have been bought in the United Kingdom this year, but this number is not sufficient for the Army's needs. The requisitioning of light horses is not at present contemplated, and it is hoped that such a course will not be necessary.
Major DAVIESasked the President of the Hoard of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate cost of production, under present war conditions, of a light horse suitable for Army purposes; and whether the price paid for this type of horse by the Army authorities will be based upon the present cost of production?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI regret that I am unable to state a figure which would represent approximately the cost of production of a light horse for the Army under present conditions. The circumstances of production vary so greatly that an estimate of cost in one district would be quite misleading as to the cost in another, and an estimate of cost on a2406W farm where light-horse breeding was the main industry would differ very considerably from the cost on a farm where it was only a side issue. As to the prices paid for light horses by the Army authorities, I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Under-Secretary of State for War.