MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether on the 1st July last the stock of reserve small arm ammunition of the present pattern, and not more than five years old, was depleted or up to full quantity usually stored; and whether there was a large or small quantity of the new pointed ammunition in store at that time?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)It is not in the public interest that any details of stocks of reserve of small arm ammunition should be disclosed. It may, however, be stated that during this year prior to 1st July the new pointed ammunition was manufactured in lieu of the old pattern so as to obtain a sufficient stock to allow of a rearmament at an early date, and the stock of the old pattern was in consequence gradually reduced, though always remaining at an adequate figure.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINECan the right hon. Gentleman give me any reply as to the old pattern ammunition? I may take it that it was easy to say it was satisfactory if it was actually satisfactory. With regard to the pointed bullet, what was the object of having a large stock if you had not rifles to fire them?
§ Colonel SEELYWith regard to the first part of the question, as to whether the ammunition was satisfactory, I have said that it is not in the public interest that details should be issued. I may say at once, if the Noble Lord is anxious, that on the date named there were more than twice as many cartridges in this country alone as were fired during the whole of the South African war, a period of two years and three-quarters. With regard to the pointed bullet, there is always inconvenience in a transition period; but we endeavoured to see that no risk was run during that period.
§ Mr. ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman state what the stock is at the present moment?
§ Colonel SEELYYes; there are now in the country three and a half times as many cartridges as were fired during the whole of the South African war.