§ MR. ASHLEYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state during what number of hours out of each twenty-four the gunners were on duty at Gibraltar during the recent mobilisation of the garrison; and whether the number of gunners in the garrison is sufficient to keep the batteries continuously manned in the event of a siege.
§ MR. HALDANEIt is not possible to give any estimate of the number of hours in each day that the gunners were on duty. The number of gunners is considered adequate to provide against any attack to which Gibraltar is likely to be exposed.
§ MR. ASHLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that if the fortress were besieged the gunners would have proper rest?
§ MR. HALDANEI do not think that when a fortress is besieged the gunners can have proper time for rest.