§ MR. O'REILLYsaid, his Question required some explanation. It was said that the Committee now sitting on Small Arms did not confine themselves to the rifles furnished by the manufacturers, but that they produced improved arms of their own. He would, therefore, beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether the Committee on Small Arms have made experimental changes in the Henry Martini rifle, and had these changes carried out in the Government factory at Enfield; and how many improved forms of the rifle they have so had made?
§ MR. CARDWELL, in reply, said, it was true the Committee did not limit themselves to testing the rifles that were submitted to them, but that they tried experiments of their own, chiefly in relation to improvements in the chamber and the springs: 24 rifles had recently been issued for this purpose, all of one form.