§ MR. GOULDING (Wiltshire, Devizes)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the 2nd Volunteer Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, H Company, who are now 142 strong as against 70 last year, have only 80 rifles at present, and whether, seeing that the adjutant indented for extra rifles early in April, he will receive them without further delay in order that the drill may be efficiently conducted.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThe demand for these arms was only sent to Weedon on the 8th instant, and the arms have now been despatched. The delay was caused by the neglect of a clerk in the Ordnance Office in the Southern District, and he has been punished.
§ MR. WARNER (Staffordshire, Lichfield)Will the hon. Gentleman see that the Royal Reserves are armed before any more rifles are issued to the Volunteers?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThere seems to be some misunderstanding. There is an ample supply of rifles in the country, although the issue may in some cases have been delayed owing to application having been made in the wrong quarter.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIs it not the fact that in consequence of not having received their rifles the Royal Reserves were unable to parade on the Queen's birthday?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMSome of these regiments were only formed a few days before the Queen's birthday.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERFor one year.