HC Deb 17 February 1899 vol 66 cc1281-2
MAJOR RASCH

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the Royal Artillery is to be armed with Sir George. Clarke's invention for quick-firing guns; by what date the change will be fully carried into effect; whether he is aware that 50 per cent, of the French and German Artillery are already so armed; and what is the cause of the delay in the British service?

MR. WYNDHAM

The Horse and Field Batteries are to be converted to a quick-firing system devised in the Royal Carriage Department. The conversions involved will be carried out as quickly as possible. I can give no information as to the percentage of French and German Artillery already provided with a quick-firing equipment. The change involves much work, preceded by the selection of the best among several inventions for effecting not one, but several objects. This necessarily takes time.