§ *LORD LAMINGTON rose to ask the Under-Secretary of State for War why Yeomanry regiments are not equipped with proper buckets for the new rifles, and whether the allowance of blank ammunition cannot be increased.
§ The noble Lord said: I rise to ask the Question that stands in my name. The matters referred to therein have, I think, been the subject of representation to the War Office, and I should like to hear what answer can be given by His Majesty's Government on the subject.
THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (LORD LUCAS)My Lords, I am afraid that the question of the ammunition, as far as I can trace it, is not one that has been referred to us. This is the first we have heard that the allowance which is given at the present time is supposed to be inadequate. Twenty-five rounds per man are issued, and an extra ten rounds when the Territorial is manœuvring with Regulars. We do not feel inclined to increase that if we can possibly help it, because it is an expense, and although it is a necessary expense it is one of those things that we like to keep down as low as we possibly can. With regard to the question of the rifle bucket, we are issuing instructions for the adaptation of the present rifle bucket to the short rifle. The bucket, of course, was designed for the long rifle, and I know there is some difficulty in carrying the short rifle with it; but if certain alterations are made, if the straps are shortened, we do not think that there will be any particular difficulty in carrying the rifle in the same way as the long rifle was carried. We are not disposed at the present time to consider providing the other bucket which has been asked for—namely, the 164 bucket which the Cavalry have—because, among other things, we do attach great importance to the Yeoman and his rifle being attached to each other, so that if he gets separated from his horse he will always have his rifle.
§ LORD LAMINGTONI am not officially informed, but I understand that there was a representation from Scotland as regards the insufficiency of the blank ammunition. It is a serious deficiency. You cannot with twenty-five rounds carry out all the field days, five or six in the course of training, and consequently these field days will lose half their value. It is impossible to understand how operations are to be conducted without having at least thirty or forty rounds per man, and I certainly understood that a. representation was made from Scotland last year for a grant of 200 rounds a year per man. That, I know, is considered by various commanding officers as the absolute minimum, and I know of one commanding office: who had to buy ammunition for one squadron of his regiment, this training or last training, to supply this want. With regard to the rifle buckets, if the Cavalry find it necessary to have these buckets it seems only reasonable to suppose that the Yeomanry also require them. I am glad to hear that some attempt is being made to improve matters, but certainly the present bucket is bad both for the horseman and rifle. If the present bucket can be adapted, well and good, but, if not, undoubtedly in the interests of all there should be a new bucket supplied. I also hope that the noble Lord will consider having a larger amount of blank ammunition. I am sure other representations will be made on the matter.
§ House adjourned at five minutes past Seven o'clock, till Tomorrow, a quarter past Four o'clock.