§ SIR WILLIAM PLOWDEN (Wolverhampton, W.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether it is true that, notwithstanding the Government of India admit the inferiority of the present 9-pounder muzzle-loading gun, with which the Indian Artillery is equipped, to the Ordnance it would have to meet in action, and have recommended the now I2-pounder breech-loading gun should be substituted for it, only 10 batteries of 60 guns out of the entire 417 are to be provided for before the 1st April, 1888; what time it will take to provide the armament for the whole of the batteries in India; and, what is the reason why the three batteries which were to have been supplied by the 31st March last have not yet been sent out to India?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N. E.)(who replied) said: The answer to the first Question is in the affirmative. The time within which the new armament for the whole of the batteries in India will be provided depends upon financial and other considerations. The three batteries will be shortly despatched. The reason why they were not sent earlier is that the War Department could not got them ready in the time that has elapsed since the receipt of the demand.