HC Deb 20 February 1905 vol 141 cc593-4
MR. SOAMES

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state when the 15-pounder breech-loading guns, Mark I., were issued; how many batteries are still armed with them; and whether the new guns will first be issued to those batteries which are armed with the oldest types of guns.

MR. ARNOLD - FORSTER

The first issue of the Mark I. guns was made in 1883, and seventy batteries are still armed with guns of that issue. It is not possible at the present moment to state Definitely which batteries it will be found expedient to re-arm first with the new guns.