§ MR. FABER (York)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, at the time when he stated that it was intended to use Mark IV. ammunition at foreign stations for practice purposes only, what was the amount of other serviceable small arms ammunition available in the country, and when the manufacture of Mark II. ammunition was commenced.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMThe hon. Member will no doubt see that it is not expedient to give such information except in general terms. On the date mentioned — namely, 24th July, 1047 1899, taking the authorised reserve at 400 rounds per man armed with a rifle, 200 rounds per man with carbine—infantry, maximum, 28,000; cavalry, maximum, 45,000—we had an excess of 7,000,000 rounds above that reserve so calculated. In spite of the subsequent adoption of Mark V. and readoption of Mark II., we have been able to secure an ample output from the factory to the trade.