§ SIR SAMUEL WILSON (Portsmouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many of the new magazine rifles have been finished, and where they are being manufactured; has it been decided to convert any of those now in use to the magazine principle; what number per month of the magazine rifle are being turned out, and will he expedite their construction by calling for tenders; will a supply be forwarded to our troops on the Nile as soon as they are ready; and is the manufacture of the new ammunition in progress?
§ * MR. E. STANHOPEAbout 500 of the magazine rifles have been issued from the Ordnance factories for experimental purposes. A very large number of parts, not yet put together into complete rifles, have also been made. They are being manufactured by the Government at Enfield and at Birmingham, and by two private firms in London and Birmingham. It is not proposed to convert rifles now in use to the magazine principle; but if from wear they require new barrels they will be supplied with barrels carrying the small bore ammunition. The troops now on the Nile will receive their rifles in their turn. The manufacture of the new ammunition is proceeding.