§ Viscount VALENTIAasked the Under-Secretary of State for War why there has been a delay of four years in supplying dial sights and fittings for howitzers of the Second Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Force; are there any Howitzer brigades still without their full complement of dial sights and fittings; if so, how many; how many dial sights are now required by the Territorial Force; and how soon it is expected that the full number required will be issued?
§ Colonel SEELYThe delay in supply is due to the difficulty experienced in obtaining deliveries of the new pattern sights for the Regulars. Until these are received1424W the old pattern sights now with the Regulars cannot be taken for issue to Territorials, and such as have been released have had to be repaired and adjusted before issue. Thirty sights are still due to the Howitzer batteries to complete the full complement of 112; these are being repaired, and will be issued this month. The Territorial Horse Artillery, Mountain Artillery, and heavy Howitzers are complete. The heavy and field guns require 362 sights to complete. No date can at present be given for the completion of all issues, but arrangements are being made to have sufficient sights at the large practice camps to complete all batteries while at practice this summer.