MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked the Secretary for War if he will state roughly the number of rifles on issue to the Regular Forces and Special Reserves at home and abroad; the number of rifles on issue to the Territorial Forces; and the number of rifles in reserve?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe numbers are as follow:—Regulars, home and abroad (including Reservists), 270,812; Special Reserve, 63,180; Territorial Force, 252,122. It is not customary to publish the number of rifles in reserve.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEasked how long it is estimated that it will take to re-sight the present issue of rifles or replace it with other rifles suitable for firing the new bullet; how soon the alteration or the re-issue will commence in the Regular and the Territorial Forces; and in what units will the start be made?
§ Mr. HALDANEI am not in a position at the present time to make any statement on the points raised in the question.