§ MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office a question of which I have given him private notice, viz., whether complaints have been received from the General Officer Commanding in Somaliland to the effect that the British force was placed at a disadvantage by the lack of stopping power of the service bullet, and whether he will consider the advisability of supplying the Somaliland Field Force as soon as possible with ammunition more suitable to the conditions of savage warfare.
LORD STANLEYNo complaints have been received from the General Officer Commanding in Somaliland as to the stopping power of the service bullet, except the reference in the telegram received yesterday. My hon. friend will have observed that it can be claimed for the existing ammunition that a force 462 about 200 strong inflicted a loss of 2,000 on the enemy, and we should require clear evidence of the inefficacy of the existing bullet before taking the step indicated. We have cabled for further information.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEThen is it suggested that the complaint, which is undoubtedly printed in General Manning's despatch, is not well founded or requires further explanation?
LORD STANLEYI would not like to say that, but it would be rather a big order to commence exchanging the whole of the ammunition we have out there.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEI am sorry to say I must press this question. Does not the noble Lord consider that the lives of British officers and men are also a large order?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order. The hon. Member cannot argue the matter by interrogations.