§ MR. RIDLEYasked the Secretary of State for War, Which description of the three breech-loading small arms (the carbine and sword, the short rifle and sword, the long rifle and bayonet) is to be issued to the Militia, and which to the Volunteer Artillery; and, when the respective issues will be made?
§ SIR HENRY STORKS, in reply, said, the weapon of artillery soldiers was the heavy gun, and in furnishing small arms they had postponed the issue as regarded the Militia and Volunteer Artillery until after the infantry forces, whose weapon was the small arm, should have been fully armed. The issue of Snider carbines and swords would be made in the course of 1872. Volunteers who wished in the meantime for a breech-loading arm to enable them to compete for prizes could receive the long rifle.