§ Sir JOHN BUTCHERasked the Secretary for War whether, as regards the surplus Army horses to be sold in Mesopotamia, Salonika, and Italy, he can state the conditions as to age and soundness under which these horses are to be sold; whether instructions have been given to the military authorities in those countries who are charged with the sale of surplus Army horses not to sell any horses which, by reason of age or unsoundness, are not reasonably fit for work; and what precautions, if any, are taken to ensure good treatment by the purchasers of the horses sold?
Captain GUESTThe instructions given to the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief in Mesopotamia and Egypt were stated in the reply which I gave on Monday last to a question put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Yeovil. Special instructions were given to the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief in Italy. I can assure my hon. and learned Friend that the military authorities in all theatres of operations are fully aware of the public anxiety that no animal should be sold which is in any way unfit for work, and that good treatment should be ensured to those horses that are of necessity sold abroad. I am inquiring of the several Commanders-in-Chief what steps are taken to ensure that all animals sold are well treated.