HC Deb 11 March 1893 vol 9 cc1715-6
MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Belfast, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether there are at this moment upwards of 200 muzzle-loading 9-pounder guns in the hands of the Royal Artillery in India; whether these guns are of an obsolete pattern condemned for many years; and how soon a modern breechloading gun could be supplied to the whole of the Royal Artillery in India, provided that immediate orders were given to all establishments in the country capable of manufacturing them?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to postpone his question.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman answer the first two paragraphs?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I saw the whole question could not be answered. I am not able to pick and choose between parts of a question, so it had better be put off.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

But surely the right hon. Gentleman is in possession of information as to the two first paragraphs.

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I have a considerable knowledge myself of the subject on which the question is put, but I should prefer to be perfectly accurate before I answer.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

In con-sequeuce of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman I shall in Committee of Supply move the reduction of the Vote for the Royal Artillery.

VISCOUNT CRANBORNE (Colchester)

How does the right hon. Gentleman expect us to be able to discuss the Army Estimates without consideration, when he himself is not able to answer the most elementary questions?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I did not say I was not able to answer elementary questions. I said I declined to answer questions of this sort without being certain of the accuracy of my answer.