§ LORD EUSTACE CECILsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State 1662 for War, Whether the attention of the War Department has been drawn to the fact that every Prussian soldier carries two cartridge pouches fastened to his waist-belt in front, and is thus enabled to fire with greater rapidity in action; whether the War Department has had under its consideration the pattern of light ammunition waggons attached to battalions of Prussian riflemen on service; and whether, on the issue of breech-loading rifles, there is any intention of introducing into our service cartridge pouches and light ammunition waggons of a similar kind to those now in use in the Prussian army?
GENERAL PEELSir, I have received reports from the military attaché on the subject of the two cartridge pouches carried in front by the Prussian soldiers, and I hope to receive further details on the subject, and also as to the amount of ammunition they are able to discharge in the course of an action, as to which there have been very different accounts. I am not aware that the pattern of the ammunition waggon of the Prussian army has been received. The question is an important one, and will be fully considered.