§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether any small arms (other than rifles) in the hands of British troops still remain without having been recently re-tested, and what proportion of these re-tested proved to be up to the Government standard; and, what is the system upon which the periodical inspection of such arms will take place, and at what interval of time every weapon will be so inspected?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E.STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)All the arms of the Infantry of the First Army Corps have been re-tested. The examination of those of the Cavalry will be completed immediately; and of 716 the arms in the hands of other Regular troops with all the speed possible. The Returns of the numbers which passed the standard are not yet complete. The system will be that inspection of arms is made at home by viewers specially detached from the Inspection Staff under the immediate supervision of the Chief Inspector of Small Arms. It is intended that this inspection shall be annual in the case of Regular troops; biennial for the Militia; and triennial for the Volunteers; and that it shall extend to every weapon used. Arrangements as regards inspection of arms abroad are not yet completed.