§ MR. COURTHOPETo ask the Secretary of State for War whether an automatic rifle, fulfilling the necessary requirements of a service weapon, has yet been invented; and what is the estimated period of time which must elapse between the invention of an automatic rifle and the completion of a sufficient number to arm our regular forces.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As regards the first part of the Question, there are no official details of such a rifle. As regards the second part of the Question, in the absence of the necessary information as regards the rifle, it would be quite impracticable to make even a rough estimate of a period which in this country would depend on so many circumstances.
§ MR. COURTHOPETo ask the Secretary of State for War what is the estimated increase of ammunition which the use of an automatic rifle would require to be carried by the soldier, on the regimental and other ammunition carts and mules, by divisional ammunition columns, and in the ammunition park; and whether he has any official reports showing whether such necessary increase, and the consequent increased risk of failure of the supply of ammunition, would counteract the advantages derived from the use of an automatic rifle by infantry in action.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) As I have no official information as regards the rifle I am not in a position to give any estimate as regards the ammunition necessary.