§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether it is the fact that the heavy guns ordered for the fortifications of Rangoon, and which have been lying on the wharf for some months, are not to be mounted at Rangoon, but sent to some other port; and, if so, whether it is intended to replace them by other guns, or to leave Rangoon without land defences?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. G. RUSSELL, North Beds.)Only two 10-inch guns were ordered for the Rangoon defences; 10 of these one is now there, but will be removed, no doubt, shortly; the other is at Bombay in reserve. The Government of India decided last year that gnus of this calibre were not required for Rangoon, the defence of which was sufficiently provided for by the remainder of the armament fixed for that port. These two 10-inch guns constitute only a portion of the defences.
§ SIR. TEMPLE (Surrey, Kingston)Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that Rangoon has got proper land defences?
§ *MR. G. RUSSELLI believe I can assure the hon. Baronet, and the House generally, that Rangoon is adequately defended. If it will be any satisfaction to my hon. Friend to have more precise information on the point, I shall be happy to place at his disposal what information we have.