To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) rifles, (b) mortars, (c) machine guns and (d) artillery weapons were (i) in service with the Army and (ii) available for use by the Army in operations on the latest date for which figures are available. (319491)

The in-service figures for rifles, mortars, machine guns and artillery weapons are provided in the following table. Availability data for rifles, mortars and machine guns are not held centrally. I am withholding information on the number of artillery weapons currently available on operations, as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.