§ Mr. LAURENCE HARDYasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether there is any drill book issued for the Maxim gun when used by the Yeomanry; whether the present gun tripod and pack 1488W saddle at present issued is held to be adequate for present requirements; whether the personnel and equipment of the Maxim gun supplied to Yeomanry Regiments is considered to be efficient; whether Great Britain is the only Great Power which retains the 64-pound gun and heavy tripod; and whether he will give the estimated cost of re-arming the Regular and Territorial mounted units with the 28-pound gun and light tripod, and also with a lighter mule pack-saddling equipment suitable for fast movement across country?
§ Colonel SEELYAs regards the first part of the hon. Member's question, the drill for the Maxim gun is contained in the handbook of the gun. The general principles governing the employment of machine-guns in the field are contained in Field Service Regulations, Part I.; detailed instructions as regards the employment of machine-guns by mounted troops, other than Regular Cavalry, will be given in the new manual for these troops now in course of preparation. As regards the second and third parts, the present gun tripod and pack saddle, although not of the latest pattern, are still serviceable equipment. The question of an improved method of transport of these articles is now under consideration. The efficiency of the personnel of Yeomanry machine-gun detachments varies considerably in different units. The answer to the fourth part of the hon. Member's question is in the negative. As regards the last part, until the pattern of any new machine-gun or pack saddlery to replace the present equipment has been decided on, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of cost, but the sum of £30,000 may be taken as a rough estimate.