§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what number of new guns will be completed for India in the present financial year, and whether that will represent the entire number required; what number it is proposed to complete for the British Army in the next financial year, and at what cost; and what number will remain to be completed, and at what cost, in the financial year ending 31st March, 1907, when nearly the whole re armament, together with a large number of reserve batteries, are to be finished.
* MR. ARNOLD-EORSTERTwenty-one batteries will be completed for India in the present year, this being the number demanded by the Indian Government. It is not possible to state at present what their future demands will be. It is at present contemplated that fifty-four batteries will be completed for the British Army in the next financial year at a cost of £1,300,000. Seventy-six batteries will then remain to be completed for the British Army in the financial year ending 31st March, 1907, at a cost of £1,850,000, of which sum £550,000 would not be paid until 1907–8.