10. Mr. FREDERICK HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary for War the present number of effective Artillery batteries in 266 the Regular and Territorial Forces, respectively in this country; the number of practice rounds fired by each battery annually; how many rounds does he consider it necessary should be fired annually for an officer in the Regular Artillery to attain complete efficiency; and if he has any information as to the practice facilities afforded for Artillery in France, Germany, and the United States?
§ Colonel SEELYThe number of Regular batteries other than training batteries is 14 Horse Artillery, 84 Field Artillery, and 6 heavy batteries; and of Territorial Force batteries is 14 Horse Artillery, 151 Field Artillery, 3 Mountain Artillery, and 14 heavy batteries. As regards practice rounds I would refer the hon. Gentleman to my reply to a question put by the hon. Gentleman the Member for the Ludlow Division on the 16th instant. I understand that the annual allowance for each Field battery in the United States Army is 290 rounds.
Mr. F. HALLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to reply to the first part of my question? Will he say how many rounds it is considered necessary should be fired for an Artillery officer to become efficient?
§ Colonel SEELYThat is a matter of opinion. If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the very full answer I gave to the hon. Member for Ludlow, I think he will find that I have replied fully on all these points.
Mr. F. HALLIs it not laid down that six hundred rounds should be fired annually in order that an Artillery officer may become fully efficient?
§ Colonel SEELYI can only refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to his hon. Friend.
§ Mr. LEEHas the right hon. Gentleman answered the latter part of the question as to how many of the Territorial batteries are effective?
§ Colonel SEELYThat is a matter of opinion. I believe the hon. Gentleman holds very strong views on the point, but if he wants to know the views of the Board as to the relative merits of the batteries, and will put a question down, I will endeavour to get the information.
§ Colonel SEELYIn our opinion all the 151 batteries are effective, but their relative efficiency is not one that can be discussed by way of question and answer across the floor of the House.