§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for War why rifles have to be brought back to the United Kingdom from Cyprus for repairs; how many armourers would be needed to maintain 10,000 self loading rifles in the field; and whether there are sufficient armourers trained for that work.
§ Mr. RamsdenThere is no shortage of fully-trained armourers in Cyprus. A small number of rifles have to be sent back to this country because their repair requires plant or facilities which it would be uneconomic to set up locally. 46 armourers would be required to maintain 10,000 self-loading rifles in the field.