MR. LLOYD MORGAN (Carmarthen, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several nine-inch R.M.L. guns weighing about twelve tons each, lying at Stack and Popton Forts, Milford Haven, have been thrown into the sea; that for a considerable time during the last training the Carmarthen Royal T Garrison Artillery Militia were employed in disposing of these guns in this way; if so, will he say whether it is proposed to employ them during the coming training in similar work and to destroy more guns of this description; and whether the guns cannot be used or disposed of in some useful way.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIn connection with the rearmament of the Milford Haven forts certain obsolete guns, carriages, and mountings had to be disposed of. The contractors who bought the carriages, etc., would not buy the 61 guns; and the guns not being worth the cost of removal were thrown into the sea. As the Regular garrison artillery were already fully employed on the work of rearmament the General Officer Commanding decided to employ the Militia garrison artillery in the work of dismounting these guns; such a task would form part of their legitimate training. Endeavours are always made to dispose of guns locally by sale, but if this cannot "be effected they must be disposed of in the cheapest manner.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe dismantling of guns is a very important part of their training.