§ MR. COURTHOPE (Sussex, Rye)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether the conversion of long Lee-Enfield Rifles provided for in the Estimates of 1907 has been completed; and when, and to what units, the first issue of the converted rifles will take place.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The conversion of the long Lee-Enfield rifles provided for in this financial year will not be completed until the next financial year. About 3,000 will be completed this year. No issues have as yet been arranged, and none can be made until personal equipment for carrying ammunition in chargers is available. It is, however, not desirable to make any issue of the converted rifles until a sufficient number is in store to allow of its being carried out rapidly and continuously.