Earl of DALKEITHasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that an undertaking existed whereby two years' notice was to be given before any withdrawal of the light-horse breeding subsidy; and whether, in view of the serious effect of the total withdrawal of this subsidy on the light-horse breeding industry and the hardship inflicted thereby on the breeders, farmers
1096Wtotal acreage of rough grazings; and whether he can give comparable figures for the years 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, and 1920?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe information desired is given as far as possible in the following statement:
and organisations concerned, who, on the faith of the undertaking given, have purchased stallions and mares, he will consider making a temporarily reduced grant instead of withdrawing it entirely?
Mr. F. OWENasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, in view of the depressed state of British agriculture and the need for fostering all branches of the national industry, he will reconsider the discontinuance of the grant for assisting the War Office light-horse breeding scheme?
§ Mr. COOPERThe Secretary of State hopes shortly to have the pleasure of discussing the whole question with representatives of the interests concerned.