§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the statement, reported in The Times of the 17th instant to have been made the previous day, at the Royal United Service Institution, by Colonel Arbuthnot, Royal Artillery, Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory, to the effect that the Martini breech-block is to be retained in the new Enfield Military Rifle, by the "express orders" of himself, when Secretary of State for War, is true; and, if so, on what grounds he took this action?
§ THE SURVEYOR GENERAL OF ORDNANCE (Mr. WOODALL) (Hanley)who replied, said, the Martini breechblock was retained in the new Martini-Enfield rifle because, after inquiry, it was reported to the Secretary of State by his professional advisers that no sufficient grounds existed for re-opening the question as to the pattern of breech action. His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief concurred in this recommendation, and it was finally approved by the Secretary of State.