§ MR. C. PHIPPSasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is a fact that many of the swords lately supplied to the 15th Hussars were found, when tested by the regimental armourer sergeant, to be soft, notwithstanding the fact that they had been passed at Woolwich as fit for service; whether any of the swords that have been lately supplied to any other cavalry regiment have been found to be of a similar character; and, whether more effectual steps cannot be taken to render the issue of defective arms an impossibility?
§ MR. BRAND (for The Marquess of HARTINGTON)The new swords issued to the 15th Hussars were, I understand, irregularly tested by an armourer sergeant, who subjected them to an undue pressure. There is every reason to believe that the quality of the material of which the present swords are made is excellent.