§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the Secretary of State for War, What number of bayonets have up to now been supplied by Messrs. Wilkinson under their contract; and, whether any alteration has taken place in the test which these bayonets were to satisfy, and which was described by him in this House last year?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)Delivery of the bayonets supplied by Messrs. Wilkinson has been necessarily suspended, in consequence of certain changes having been made in the fittings of the hilt on the recommendation of a Special Committee. The same Committee has also recommended that the "spring," or shortening by vertical pressure, should be reduced from one inch to seven-eighths of an inch. These changes will make no alteration in the price.