§ MR. HEDDERWICKI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether there were any guns of position, and, if so, how many, in Natal and Cape Colony prior to the outbreak of hostilities; and to what extent our home forts and ships of war have been denuded of 4.7-inch guns for the Transvaal in consequence of the deficiency of heavy artillery in South Africa and at home in stock.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThere were no guns of position as distinct from fortress guns in Cape Colony or Natal when war broke out. As regards the latter part of the question, a general statement will shortly be made on the military situation.