§ LORD MANCROFTasked His Majesty's Government, whether they are aware that, owing to the shortage of good quality .22 ammunition, miniature rifle clubs are experiencing difficulty in training their members in marksmanship before their period of military service, and whether His Majesty's Government will therefore make further supplies of this ammunition available to recognized clubs at a reasonable price.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HALL)During the war, the War Office released part of their allocation of .22 ammunition to the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs for distribution to rifle clubs throughout the country. Since the termination of this arrangement, the Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs have been supplied with several million rounds of .22 ammunition from surplus stocks at a low price, but these stocks have been almost exhausted and there is little likelihood of substantial quantities being declared surplus in the future. The quantity of .22 ammunition being manufactured for home use is much greater than that available to rifle clubs at the end of the war and exceeds the estimated requirements of the clubs. There has, however, been some temporary difficulty with deliveries owing to the fuel situation. This ammunition is of the same manufacture as that supplied to the Forces during the war and there is no reason to doubt that it is of equal quality.
House adjourned at five minutes past four o'clock.