§ MR. GUY WILSONTo ask the Secretary of State for War in view of the fact that the Master-General of Ordnance, the Director of Artillery, the Secretary to the Small Arms Committee, and the entire War Office staff responsible for providing our cavalry and infantry with a suitable rifle, are Royal Artillery officers, whether he will appoint an independent Committee to inquire into the whole question of the supply of small arms and ammunition for the British Army.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary-Haldane.) The reply is in the negative. My hon. friend's suggestion is quite impracticable. As regards the suggestion contained in the Question that these matters rest entirely in the hands of Artillery officers, I need only refer my hon. friend to the composition of the Small Arms Committee, and further to that of the Army Council, who are the final authority responsible.