§ Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what was the number and value of Army remounts purchased from Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State, respectively, during 1933; what proportion of those from Northern Ireland came originally from the Irish Free State; and whether he intends still to rely upon Ireland rather than England, Scotland and Wales for the supply of Army horses?
§ Mr. COOPERFor the calendar year 1933, the number of remounts purchased from Northern Ireland was 494, and from the Irish Free State 168. In the former case the remounts purchased were chargers and troop horses, and the average cost was £60; in the latter case they were troop horses only, and the average cost was a little over £44. I am unable to say whether any of those purchased in Northern Ireland came originally from the Irish Free State. The policy of purchasing as many remounts as possible within Great Britain is being continued.