§ SIR ALEXANDER ACLAND-HOOD (Somerset, Wellington)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many regiments quartered in the Dublin district are armed with the magazine rifle; how many ranges in that district are available for the use of that arm; is it the fact that a suitable range has been selected within 14 miles of Dublin, but that it is not in use in consequence of the necessary funds not being provided; how many regiments in that district are armed with the Martini-Henry; why are they still so armed; and if ordered on service would they be equipped with an obsolete weapon or with one of which they had no knowledge?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANFour battalions in the Dublin district are armed with the magazine rifle, but there are no ranges in the district available for that arm. A site for a range has been selected at about 14 miles from Dublin; but it is improbable the funds for its acquisition will be available this year. Four battalions in the Dublin district retain the Martini-Henry rifle, because the Commander of the Forces in Ireland does not wish a further issue of magazine rifles until a suitable range has been provided. If the battalions armed with Martini- 433 Henrys were ordered on service they would be equipped with the magazine rifle, the action of which can be learnt very readily by any trained soldier.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)What is the name of the site?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANKilbride.
§ SIR A. ACLAND-HOODWhore will the battalions armed with the magazine rifle execute their annual course of musketry?
§ *MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI must ask for further notice of that question.