§ 86. Major Sir CHARLES HUNTERasked what number of service rifles, either Mark I.* or Mark III., remained in store after the Reserves had been called up and armed at the commencement of the War?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is not in the public interest to give this information. The authorised reserve of rifles was in possession at the outbreak of war.
§ Major Sir C. HUNTERCan the right hon. Gentleman say why it is not in the public interest to give information as to what happened eighteen months ago? The information that is asked for concerns what happened eighteen months ago.
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is never in the public interest to give numbers of weapons or munitions of war. It never has been. All I wish to assure the hon. and gallant Member is that at the time of the outbreak of War we were in possession of the proper reserves of rifles.