§ MR. J. A. PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Co. have at any time within the past six months offered to either the Imperial or Colonial Governments guns for use in South Africa, which have have been declined; if so, whether he can state the number and character of the guns offered, and why they were declined.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMIn December last a battery of six 15-pounder guns, similar to those with which our field batteries are armed, was offered by Sir Andrew Noble for the use of the Natal colonial forces. This offer was transmitted to Natal, and a reply was received to the effect that the Natal colonial forces were at that time unable to accept the battery; at the same time it was asked that the offer might be kept open. Meanwhile, a further offer was made by Lord Grey, with the consent of Sir Andrew Noble, to send out this same battery of 15-pounder guns, manned by Volunteers, on behalf of the county of Northumberland. This otter has been accepted, and the battery is now being prepared for embarkation to South Africa.