§ MR. FREDERICK WILSON (Norfolk, Mid.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether only first-class shots are now considered by the Army Council as fit for active service; if he can state what percentage of the British Army come under the designation of first-class shots; and if he can state what steps it is intended to take to in-crease the number of first-class shots among Regulars and Volunteers.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERAs I have already informed the House, the possession of a first-class certificate by a Regular soldier is not a necessary qualification for active service abroad. The percentage of first-class shots in the Regular Army on the home establishment was 29.85 of the total of the men who fired classification practices. As regards the last paragraph of the Question, the General Staff of the Army is constantly engaged in endeavours to improve the shooting both of the Regulars and the Volunteers, and these efforts will not in any way be relaxed in the future.