HC Deb 23 July 1909 vol 8 c825W
Sir CHARLES DILKE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state how far advance has been made in supplying arms to the Royal Engineer units of the Territorial Army; and whether, out of nearly 500 men of the Kent fortress companies told off to the Thames and Medway defences, all, except about 100, are still unarmed?

Mr. HALDANE

It has been decided to arm these units with the long rifle, and it is hoped that an issue of rifles will soon be made. As regard's the Kent fortress companies, the only one armed is the Ton-bridge Company, which was allowed to retain its arms on transfer to the Territorial Force. The two other companies are newly formed and unarmed.