§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Glasgow regiments of the Territorial Force have had equal opportunities with other parts of the country of acquiring efficiency in shooting; and, if not, whether this was due to the difficulty of getting landowners in that district to lease ranges at reasonable rates?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Every battalion has an open range within nine miles of Glasgow, and every battalion has tested with the standard test over 89 per cent, of its strength in officers, noncommissioned officers, and men for last year.
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§ Mr. GIBBSasked the Secretary of State for War if he will say when the dial sights will be served out to those units of the Territorial Artillery which still do not possess them; and whether it is possible to carry out correct practice under cover without them?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe dial sights will not be available until those now being used by the Regulars are released by the supply of new pattern sights for the latter. It is quite possible and feasible to carry out correct practice under cover without them.
§ Mr. SANDERSasked the Secretary of State for War what is the usual period devoted to gunnery practice by Regular batteries of Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery; and what period it is proposed should be devoted to that practice by the corresponding branches of the Territorial Force?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe usual period devoted to gunnery practice by Regular batteries is about three weeks. The period which it is proposed should be devoted to that practice by the corresponding units of the Territorial Force will vary in the different units according to the range accommodation available, and the time which it is found necessary to give to other forms of training. No definite period can therefore be stated.