§ LORD EUSTACE CECILasked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, Whether any further official reports have been received from the Soudan confirming the statements in the newspapers as to the defective manufacture, and frequent jamming, of the present service Martini-Henry rifle cartridges, and the inefficiency, in many instances, after use, of the bayonets now in possession of the troops; and, if so, whether he has any objection to lay such reports upon the Table; whether, without detriment to the public service, he can state what exertions are being made to substitute, 655 as soon as possible, either by increasing the manufacture at Woolwich, or by contracting with private firms, for the present cartridges now in store in India and elsewhere, the new solid drawn metal cartridge, definitively adopted as the service pattern cartridge of the future; and, whether the new Maxim machine gun has yet been approved, and its manufacture ordered?
§ MR. BRANDFurther official Reports regarding the rifle cartridges have just been received; but there has not yet been time to examine them in detail. No Reports have been received as to the alleged inefficiency of the bayonets now in possession of the troops; and I would remind the noble Lord that I made a statement the other day on this point. I can only repeat the statement I made then—that in the opinion of the authorities the bayonets issued to the troops are perfectly serviceable. Supplies of cases for the solid-case cartridges to the full extent required can be obtained without difficulty from the trade; but, in the event of a final decision being taken to adopt the solid-case cartridge for use in practice as well as in the field, steps will at once be taken to alter the plant at Woolwich. The Maxim gun is now under trial, but no pattern has yet been approved.
§ LORD EUSTACE CECILAre we to understand that the solid-case cartridges are not to be supplied from Woolwich?
§ MR. BRANDWhat has been done was stated by me the other day. In compliance with Lord Wolseley's urgent request, the solid-case cartridges have been manufactured for the Forces in the field. It has long been known that the solid-case cartridges have advantages over other cartridges.
§ MR. MACFARLANEasked if the hon. Member could say when the troops would be supplied with the new metal cartridges?
§ MR. BRANDNo, Sir. And I do not think it is at all desirable to answer Questions regarding the precise details of our military equipment and armament.