HC Deb 29 April 1907 vol 173 c523
MR. FELL (Great Yarmouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if gun practice will be dispensed with in the case of all the Garrison Artillery Militia during their forthcoming training, and that in consequence no gun ammunition will be issued to any of them.

MR. HALDANE

The reply is in the affirmative.

MR. ARTHUR LEE (Hampshire, Fareham)

Why are the Militia to be called up for training at all, if they are to have no practical experience in shooting?

MR. HALDANE

This is simply a stage of the conversion scheme for which we are asking the sanction of the House. We are drilling them, but it would be useless to set them to guns which are obsolete.

MR. ARTHUR LEE

Then they are Field Artillery in an embryonic form?

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Are they to be made into Field Artillery?

MR. HALDANE

Yes. They are to be converted into Field Artillery because their functions are to be fulfilled by the Volunteers.