§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number of breech-loading and muzzle-loading guns respectively available for the use of the Reserve of the Mercantile Marine when 1265 undergoing annual drill; and whether, in view of the importance of this Reserve for manning the increasing fleet, and the nature of the modern ordnance on men-of-war, steps will at once he taken to largely increase the present supply of modern guns in batteries and drill ships?
§ MR. ROBERTSONMy answer is as follows: (1) Guns available for drill of Royal Naval Reserve—breech-loading, 92; muzzle-loading, 146. (2) Arrangements are in progress to gradually replace the older pattern guns by modern ordnance. During the past two years all Royal Naval Reserve drill ships, and certain drill batteries have been supplied with quick-tiring guns of the latest pattern.
§ MAJOR RASCHAre not the guns the hon. Gentleman refers to the old 68lb. Palliser M.L. guns which were practically obsolete 25 years since?
§ MR. E. ROBERTSONI must ask for notice of that question.