HC Deb 28 July 1915 vol 73 cc2262-3
26. Major HUNT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has made any inquiries as to the waste of rifles at the front; whether undamaged rifles are collected from the trenches; and whether the authorities have any means of sending them back to this country?

Mr. TENNANT

Proper attention has been given to all these points, and the answer in each case is in the affirmative.

Major HUNT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an officer coming straight back from the front stated in a lecture that he himself had collected sixty rifles, and asked the authorities to send them back, and the authorities said they had no way of doing so; and is he aware, therefore, that there is great waste of rifles which could be prevented?

Mr. TENNANT

I do not quite follow what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means by no way of sending them back. If the officer in question collected sixty rifles they would be most useful. It may have been some time ago. This matter has been under consideration since the beginning of the War, but active steps were not taken till more recently.

Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSON

Have all the new regiments received service rifles?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of the question.