§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, how many patterns there are in England and India for mountain and field guns and for heavy ordnance; and what steps are being taken to make all guns, mountain, field, and heavy guns, of identical calibre in both Great Britain, India, and the Colonies.
§ MR. BRODRICKAs regards mountain-guns, after 1st April there will be no mountain batteries elsewhere than in India. The field batteries in India and at home are all 15-pounder breech-loading guns, except in the case of fifteen batteries at home, which are armed with the 15-pounder quick-firing gun. Field howitzer batteries are armed with the 5-inch howitzer field-guns. The heavy guns in India and Great Britain are of different calibres, but the importance of identical calibre is fully recognised, and as guns are replaced every effort will be made to assimilate them.
§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)Has the decision as to mountain batteries been previously announced?
§ MR. BRODRICKI do not know It is only a question of one or two batteries.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEWhen will the conversion be accomplished?
§ MR. BRODRICKIt will be done gradually.