§ MR. HICKMANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that the defective bayonets were made in Germany; and, if not, where they were made and of what steel?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, WAR DEPARTMENT (Mr. H. S. NORTHCOTE)The bayonets which, under the new and more severe test, have been found defective fall under two categories; the one long triangular Martini-Henry bayonets, and the other sword-bayonets. The former class have all been made in England, and, with few exceptions, at the Enfield Factory. They were manufactured of crucible steel supplied either by Messrs. Firth and Sons or by Messrs. Saunderson, both being Sheffield firms. The sword-bayonets were made many years ago, partly at Enfield, from steel supplied by the above-named firms, and partly in Germany. It is not known whence the steel came from which the German arms were made. The majority of the defective sword-bayonets are of German make.
§ MR. CARBUTTsaid, he wished to know how many years ago these bayonets were made, and whether the name of the firm and the date of their manufacture were stamped upon them?
§ MR. H. S. NORTHCOTEI cannot answer the Question without Notice; but a full Report is being made on the subject by Colonel Arbuthnot, and will shortly be presented to the House.
§ CAPTAIN FELLOWESasked whether Cavalry swords would be submitted to as severe a test as the bayonets had been?
§ MR. H.S. NORTHCOTEThey will be submitted to a severe test; but whether it will be as severe as the bayonet test I will leave the Surveyor General to answer.