§ COLONEL WILMOTsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, Why rifles have not yet been issued to Volunteer Corps in Districts 6, 8, and 10, although, in answer to a Question on the 25th of February, they were promised "immediately;" when they will be issued; and, whether he is aware that any further delay will very much reduce the Capitation Grant in many battalions, and will stop the course of annual instruction in all?
§ MR. CARDWELLSir, I am sorry that the arms have not been delivered, earlier; but the reason is that it is necessary to examine them carefully, with the view to substitute better ones for the old ones called in. They are now being issued at the rate of 2,000 per day, and 55,000 will be in the hands of the Volunteers before the end of April. Considering the improvements that have been made in the weapon, I do not consider that the issue of them will tend at all to diminish the efficiency of the force.