§ 63. Sir WILLIAM BYLESasked what proportion of the recruits now under training in this country are still without equipment; and whether the supply of rifles to the War Office is keeping pace with the recruiting of men for the Army?
§ Mr. TENNANTA plentiful supply of recruits is still desired, and all who come will, of course, be equipped and armed as speedily as possible. It would be wrong that any man should defer his enlistment from any fear that he will be kept waiting unduly for his equipment.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs it the policy of the War Office still to go on enlisting men whom they have no means of equipping, and will the right hon. Gentleman therefore register these men, instead of calling them from industries, thus preventing the equipment of men who would otherwise go to the front?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not think that would be a good plan to change now. We are now able to supply the troops with large quantities of material.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMIs it not a fact that men have been waiting for eight months without equipment?
§ Mr. TENNANTI do not think that is so.
§ Sir A. MARKHAMI can give the right hon. Gentleman cases.
§ Sir W. BYLESThe right hon. Gentleman has really not given an answer to my question. It may not be proper to give the information, but what I asked was, what proportion of recruits now under training are still without equipment?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt depends altogether on what the hon. Gentleman means by equipment.