§ MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, although a certain proportion of Martini-Henry rifles have been issued to Artillery Volunteers, they are not allowed any Martini-Henry ammunition, and are thus unable to compete with Infantry corps in musketry, which operates prejudicially upon their recruiting; and, in such case, whether it would be possible to allow Artillery Volunteers to draw the ammunition suited for the small arms in their possession?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)At the time when Infantry Volunteers were armed with the Snider rifle a certain number of Martini-Henry rifles were entrusted to the National Rifle Association for distribution to Volunteer corps. They appear to have issued some to Artillery Volunteers; but the Martini-Henry is not recognized as the arm of the Artillery Volunteers, nor would it, under present circumstances, be used by them on service. This being the case, 1778 I am not prepared to issue Martini-Henry ammunition to them at the public expense, it being important that there should be uniform issues to the same arm of the Service.