§ MR. MALLOCK (Devon, Torquay)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the recent War Office Circular ordering the arms of the Artillery Volunteers in several military divisions to be returned to the Royal Small Arms Factory for examination and repair, he will order the issue to them of the Martini-Henry carbine in place of the old Sniders; and, if an immediate issue cannot take place, if he can give an approximate date when the Artillery Volunteers will be armed with the Martini-Henry carbine?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)The reserve of Artillery carbines is not at present sufficient to allow of the issue of the Martini-Henry pattern to the Artillery Volunteers, nor can I now fix a date for such issue, as it must depend upon the progress made in arming the Royal Artillery with the new rifle.