§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there is any foundation for the report furnished by the Exchange Telegraph Company—namely, that Colonel Arbuthnot, Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, will be replaced at the end of the month by Colonel King-Harman, M.P.; and, whether Colonel King-Harman, M.P., has any other qualifications than that he was many years ago a Lieutenant in the 60th Rifles, and now holds the honorary rank of Colonel in a Militia Regiment in Ireland?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)No, Sir; there is no foundation for the report, which I should have thought no one would have considered serious. No appointment whatever will be made to the post about to be vacated by Colonel Arbuthnot, at the expiration of his period of service, until we have had time to consider the Report of the Earl 1744 of Morley's Committee on the Ordnance Department. The duties of the Superintendent will be temporarily discharged by Colonel W. H. King - Harman, at present Deputy Superintendent at Birmingham.