HC Deb 09 November 1908 vol 195 c1686
MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the character and efficiency of the pointed bullets of some foreign nations and of the fact that much more serious wounds would be caused by them than by the bullets used by British troops, he will say what steps he proposes to take to secure that British troops shall be as effectively armed as any possible enemy.

MR. HALDANE

The whole question of improving the ammunition is now under consideration, and I am not, therefore, able to make any statement as to the steps which will be taken in regard to pointed bullets.

MR. HUNT

Is it not the case, and has it not been the case for some time, that the British soldier has only been able to drill quite a small hole into the enemy, while the enemy has been able to inflict a large, jagged wound upon the British soldier? How long is this to continue.

MR. HALDANE

I am not aware that it is so. There are a great many pros and cons to be weighed in connection with these bullets, which, I would point out, have only been adopted by foreign countries in principle. We are not far behind other nations in these matters.