§ 57. Sir J. D. REESasked for the estimate of the War Office of the amount of cotton required for the daily expenditure of cartridges by the enemy?
§ Mr. TENNANTI am afraid that it is not possible to speak with any certainty as to the daily expenditure of ammunition by the Germans on land and sea against their various opponents. It may be stated that the quantity of cotton in 1,000 rounds of rifle ammunition is about 4½ lbs., and in 1,000 cartridges for field guns about 830 lbs.
§ Sir J. D. REESIs it these figures as to the quantity of cotton used in explosives that caused the right hon. Gentleman to say that the question of the importation of cotton was of no account?
§ Mr. TENNANTI never said it was of no account. But as it was understood that the demands of Germany had been satisfied already from that point of view we did not consider it necessary to make cotton a contraband.
§ Sir J. D. REESDoes the right, hon. Gentleman consider that position a continuing one in view of the very large expenditure of explosives by Germany?
§ Mr. TENNANTNo; I would not say it is a continuing position. It will have to be reviewed from time to time.
§ Mr. PETOHas the right hon. Gentleman any similar figures with regard to the use of cotton in mines and torpedoes?
§ Mr. TENNANTI should like notice of that.