§ MR. H. C. RICHARDS (Finsbury, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, will he explain why, as under the new mobilisation scheme the City of London Artillery and the two regiments of Middlesex Artillery are detailed for the defence of the Thames and the Medway, they are only armed with 9-inch to 12.5-inch guns; whether it is with in his knowledge that they are required to drill with guns which have been obsolete for 20 years; and, if it would be possible to furnish 9-inch guns and fittings to be furnished by the Admiralty stores, the Admiralty being now engaged in replacing guns of the type in the forts with breechloaders and quick firers?
§ * MR. BRODRICKThe guns with which these corps practice; are those of the defences to which they would be allotted in case of mobilisation. As garrison artillery they have no guns of their own. Although not of the newest type, the guns are far from obsolete; they will probably be replaced by breechloaders as funds become available.