§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER (Croydon)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether a fixed reserve of heavy guns in the proportion of one to every four mounted has hitherto been regarded as essential by the Admiralty; if so, whether any change has recently been made, or is in contemplation, by which the proportion of guns in reserve to guns in use has been or will be diminished; and whether, in view of the frequent assurances that have been given to the House to the effect that the reserve of warlike stores would be maintained at a fixed proportion, any intended departure from that undertaking will be announced to the House.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo reduction in the reserve of heavy guns or other warlike stores has been made, or is in contemplation.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERIs there any reduction in the reserve of ammunition per gun?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONNo, I took the Question in that sense.
§ MR.SAMUEL ROBERTS (Sheffield, Ecclesall)Is it not the fact that our reserve is much less in proportion than that of either Germany or France?
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONI must ask for notice of that Question.