§ 1. Sir JOHN BARRANasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether he has received complaints from Scotland on the subject of ammunition for Volunteer Corps; whether it is the policy of the War Office to encourage proficiency in shooting in these corps; if so, what are the grounds on which they are compelled, under Army Council Instruction No. 60, to pay for all the miniature rifle ammunition required for practice; whether such ammunition is at present supplied free to all Regulars and Territorials; and whether large stocks of it are at present available?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)Yes, Sir; representations have been received on this subject. The answer to the second, fourth and fifth parts of the question is in the affirmative. The instructions to which my hon. Friend refers in the third part of the question were issued in order to let volunteers know how miniature ammunition could be obtained, when desired, on repayment. It is not intended that volunteers should be called upon to pay for the ammunition to perform their obligatory courses, and instructions to this effect, which will also provide for certain amount of free ammunition for practice, are about to be issued.