§ Mr. H. C. LEAasked the Secretary of State for War, whether the National Rifle Association supply 303 Service ammunition to rifle clubs at the rate of £3 10s. per thousand, and return 10s. for every thousand cases sent back to them, whereas the War Office charge the Territorial Army £4 per thousand for an amount equal to 10 rounds per man, and £4 10s. per thousand after that; whether the War 2 Office have kept ammunition in stock so long that it has to be destroyed; and, if so, will he state the number of rounds that will be destroyed in consequence of having been stored so long that they are useless?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)As regards the first part of the question information to this effect has been given to the War Office by the National Rifle Association. The prices charged by the War Office are as stated at a rate of £4 per 1,000 up to 10 rounds per man, and £4 9s. per 1,000 after that. The question of reducing the price of Government ammunition is under consideration. As regards the last part of the question no ammunition has been destroyed because of the time it has been kept in stock, but ammunition, which has developed certain defects in the metal has had to be destroyed.
§ Mr. LEAAm I to understand that the figures of £3 10s. per thousand is what the Rifle Association will get?
§ Mr. HALDANEYes. There is no analogy between the two cases. In the second case the higher charge made is for ammunition that has to be very much more carefully prepared.