§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Croydon)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state approximately the number of men and boys, inhabitants of the United Kingdom, who are being, or have been, instructed in the use of firearms, including those trained in the Royal Navy, Royal Naval Reserve and Naval Volunteers, the Regular Army and Army Reserve, the Militia, Yeomanry, Volunteers, Cadet Corps, Rifle Clubs, and Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether he can give any estimate of the number of persons not contained in any of the above categories who have acquired the use of firearms without assistance from the State.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The right hon. Gentleman is doubtless aware than when he was at the War Office there were no statistics available to enable a reply to be given to such a Question. There has been no change in this respect since he left. Part of the Question also appertains to the Admiralty and the Irish Office.