§ Mr. HUNTasked what was the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men now in the Territorial infantry who had never fired a recruit's course of musketry?
The HON. MEMBERalso asked what was the number of officers, non-commissioned officers, and men who were not recruits now in the Territorial infantry who had not fired a trained soldier's course of musketry?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Haldane)The information required by these questions can only be obtained by calling for a special return, the preparation of which would give a great deal of trouble to the various staffs concerned. I would remind the hon. Member that these courses need not be completed until the end of October.
§ Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the trained Territorial infantry soldier was only compelled to fire an annual course of 23 rounds of service ammunition with the military rifle; and, if so, whether he was permitted to fire them all in one afternoon?
§ Mr. HALDANEA soldier is required either to qualify in the standard test, which involves firing 23 rounds, or to attend at a range three times and fire 50 rounds of small-arms ammunition, or its equivalent, in aiming tube ammunition; one of these three attendances must be at an open range. There is no objection to a man firing the 23 rounds in an afternoon provided that he passes the test.
§ Mr. HUNTAre 23 rounds all that a man need fire? Is it necessary that he should hit the target at all?
§ Mr. HALDANEHe has to pass the test.
§ Mr. COURTHOPEIs it not a fact that a repetition course, in case of failure in any one practice, may not be fired on the same afternoon?
§ Mr. HALDANEPossibly.