§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I bog to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the difference, if any, between the range of the Lee-Metford rifle and that of the Martini-Henry rifle; and whether a number of ranges have been closed throughout the country since the introduction of the Leo-Metford rifle and, if so for what reason?
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN,&c.) Stirling,The difference of range is about 700 yards. No ranges have been closed since the introduction of the Lee-Metford rifle that would not have been closed without its introduction; but a considerable number of ranges which are still available for the use of the Martini-Henry rifle have been pronounced unsafe for the Lee-Metford.