§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)asked the Surveyor General of Ordnance, If he would explain why all the cavalry saddles, pattern 1884, have been recalled; have any reports upon them been received by commanding officers; what is the name of the inspector who passed the saddles; where are the saddles now, and can an order be obtained to inspect them; and, in the case of an experimental issue, is it the custom of the Department to pay the contractors before the result of the experiment is known?
§ THE SURVEYOR GENERAL (Mr. NORTHCOTE) (Exeter)These saddles have been recalled, not on account of bad manufacture, but of faulty pattern. The pattern was approved upon the 1073 Report of a Committee of Cavalry officers, to whom the matter was referred. Reports have been received from Commanding Officers to whom the saddles were issued. These Reports were carefully considered, and it was decided that the design was not satisfactory. As the fault of the saddle is in the design rather than the manufacture, the Inspector is not to blame. The greater part of the saddles are now at Woolwich for alteration, and the hon. and gallant Member shall have all facilities if he wishes to inspect them. The contract having been made in the usual way, on a provisionally approved pattern, the contractor was entitled to his money when he had passed the supplies.