§ 2. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the further representations made to him by the Fife and Kinross Rifle Association and by the hon. Member for Fife, East, regarding the supply of ammunition for Home Guard Rifle Clubs; and what steps he is taking to assist and offer encouragement to these clubs in the important work which they are doing.
§ Mr. ShinwellI have considered these representations, but I regret that it is not possible to make a free issue of ammunition to Home Guard rifle clubs as suggested. As regards the last part of the Question, arrangements have been 958 made to allow rifle clubs to use War Department ranges and Territorial and Auxiliary Forces associations and officers commanding Territorial Army units have been asked to do all they can to help these clubs.
§ Mr. StewartIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price now charged for that ammunition is such as seriously to discourage the work of these men, and in the case probably of thousands of members of these clubs, to make it impossible for them to do the job at all? If he wants this good work to be done why does he not encourage it?
§ Mr. ShinwellWe encourage it to the best of our ability, but we cannot provide ammunition free of charge.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIs it not a fact that there are countless millions of rounds of ammunition in store left over from the war or has it been disposed of? Should not ammunition be changed and turned over from time to time, and would not this be a very valuable way of doing it?
§ Mr. ShinwellI shall not quarrel with the hon. and gallant Member about our available reserves of ammunition.