RIFLE EQUIPMENT (CANADIAN DIVISION).

HC Deb 08 July 1915 vol 73 cc527-8

38. Sir A. MARKHAM

asked the Under-Secretary for War whether, during the last few days, the greater part of the Canadian Division at the front has been armed with the Lee-Enfield rifle; whether the War Office notified, and, if so, at what date, the Canadian Government when they received reports from the front that the Ross rifle was unsuited for service purposes; whether any suggestion or request has been made to the Canadian Government, and, if so, at what date, asking them to manufacture the Lee-Enfield rifle and to discontinue the manufacture of the Ross rifle; whether the Ross rifle is still being manufactured in large quantities; and whether these rifles are being manufactured to the order of the Canadian Government or the War Office?

Mr. TENNANT

To the answer I gave my hon. Friend on this subject on the 24th June. I would add that the Ross rifle has been the subject of trial and report by the military authorities in France, and the results are now before the Canadian Government. In the light of the information received the situation in regard to the War Office contract for this rifle is being reviewed.

Sir A. MARKHAM

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. The question I placed on the Paper was whether the War Office notified, and, if so, at what date, the Canadian Government, when they received reports from the front that the Ross rifle was unsuited for service, and whether the Ross rifle is still being made to the order of the British Government or of the Canadian Government? Both these questions are unanswered.

Mr. TENNANT

Generally it is not very-desirable to discuss these matters in public in this House. They are matters of very considerable delicacy as between the Dominion Government and the British Government, and I have given as much information as I can and rather more than would be desirable if it had not been that my hon. Friend, as I know, is very persistent in his demands.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any more of these rifles are being made to the order of the British Government? That is a fair question.

Mr. TENNANT

I think it is not desirable to say.