§ MR. LODER (Brighton)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state what steps are being taken to put the heavy batteries of the Volunteer force on a footing of efficiency; what progress has been made towards re-arming these batteries; how many 40-pounder guns have been replaced by 4 7 guns, and how many 16-pounder guns by 15-pounder B. L. guns; and whether any 15-pounder guns have either been issued or promised to any corps of Volunteer artillery.
§ MR. LODERTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether the new 15-pounder B. L. guns, when issued, will be horsed as R.F.A. guns; and whether he can state whether Volunteer batteries, at present horsed as mobile position batteries, but not attached to any Army corps, will have to give up their present method of horsing their guns, and revert to the employment of heavy horses led by drivers on foot.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) Twenty-two batteries of 4 7-inch guns have been issued to Volunteers, and a considerable number are on order. The guns of eleven 40-pounder R. B.L. batteries have been replaced by 4'7-inch guns. No 16-pounder guns have been replaced by 15-pounder guns. Two batteries of 15-pounder B. L. guns have been issued to the Honourable Artillery Company. As regards field guns, the whole question of their issue to the Volunteers and the method of draught is under consideration.