§ SIR CHARLES DILKEI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what has been the extent of the delay of the delivery of the new field guns for India which is alluded to in the Memorandum of General Sir Edmond Elles.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe first Indian order was for three batteries Horse Artillery and eighteen Field Batteries. The guns and carriages of the Horse Artillery Batteries are reported for shipment and the limbers and ammunition wagons either ready for inspection or approved. Of the 114 guns and carriages required for the Field Batteries, forty three are reported for shipment, the remainder being either ready for inspection 1349 or approved. The limbers and ammunition wagons are in a similarly forward condition. The second orders for eight batteries Horse Artillery and thirteen Field Batteries are due for completion in October, and there is every reason to believe that they will be complete at that date.
§ SIR CHARLES DILKEasked what was the shortage complained of by the Indian Government.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERwas understood to reply that the only thing he could trace was an anticipation of delay. The guns were not ready by the 30th April as originally intended, but they were now ready.