§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in addition to the regiments in Ireland mentioned in the recent Report, the defective swords of pattern 1885 are in the hands of other regiments; and, if so, what regiments; whether they have all, or any of them, been tested, as were those of the regiments stationed in Ireland; and who assisted the Inspector of Small Arms when inspecting the swords of the latter regiments?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEI think that I informed my hon. Friend in June, 1887, in reply to a question which he then put to me, that all cavalry regiments other than those in India have swords of the pattern known as that of 1885. Up to the present time, the swords of six regiments have been inspected since issue, and the remainder will be examined as soon as possible. The Chief Inspector of Small Arms was assisted in his work 131 by qualified men employed in his Department.
§ DR. TANNERHow comes it to pass that the War Office are so anxious about the swords in Ireland being specially examined?
§ *MR. E. STANHOPEDefects were reported in one regiment, and then the others were examined.