HC Deb 27 July 1871 vol 208 cc312-3
SIR JOHN GRAY

asked the Secretary of State for War, If he has considered whether advantage might not be taken of the approaching autumn encampment and manœuvres of troops to test the plan of Infantry equipment with the newly adopted valise system proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Carter, which can be done without any cost, as fifty sets of the proposed equipment are at present in the Military Stores?

SIR HENRY STORKS

Sir, after a series of trials and experiments extending over some years, the new valise equipment has been adopted for the Army. The Reports of it are most favourable in every respect, and it is liked by the troops. On the other hand, the knapsack proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Carter has been fully and fairly tried, and has not been found satisfactory, and the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief recommends that no further trial of it be made.