§ MR. KINNAIRDsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for War, Which of the several plans proposed for rifling the existing cast-iron Service Guns has been reported by the Ordnance Select Committee to be the best; whether the Government intend to introduce the improvement into the Service without delay; and whether the Report of the Ordnance Select Committee on this subject will be published?
SIR GEORGE LEWIS, in reply, said, as a general rule the Reports of the Ordnance Select Committee were regarded as confidential. This, however, was a subject which had created a great deal of interest in the public mind, and he saw no reason why, with regard to it, the rule should not be relaxed. Therefore, if his hon. Friend would move for the Report it would be given. He might add, that the Government was not disposed to give effect to the principle of rifling cast-iron guns. But if they were to do so, it would be on 1468 the plan of Mr. Bashley Britten. That was the plan they would prefer.