§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what kind of magazine rifle the British Army is now being supplied with, and the cost for each weapon; whether competition was invited for the best magazine rifle before the pattern was decided upon; whether he has ever directed trials to be made of the Mauser and Mannlicher rifles, in comparison with the rifle now being supplied to the British Army; whether a weapon in every essential respect identical with that intended for the British troops has been tried and rejected by the Military Authorities of the chief European and American States; whether, as a single-loader, the rifle now being supplied to Her Majesty's soldiers is inferior to the old Martini-Henry; for how long will the British soldier be able to fire at magazine speed, as compared with the time a German soldier armed with the Mauser rifle can so fire; and whether the cost of producing the new rifle, including wear and tear and depreciation of machinery, interest on cost of plant, &c, is greater than the cost of the Mauser or Mannlicher?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Army is being supplied with the Lee-Metford magazine rifle. The cost, as made in the Small Arms Factory, is about £3 15s., but, those obtained from the trade cost more. Before the Lee-Metford was adopted many rifles of the best-known systems were examined and tried by the Committee of Investigation; among others the Mauser and Mannlicher. We have no evidence to show to what trials foreign States have subjected the Lee-Metford or a rifle resembling it. As a single-loader the Lee-Metford is not inferior to the Martini-Henry. The magazine of the Mauser rifle holds five cartridges; that of the Lee-Metford, as now being made, holds 10. Presumably, therefore, the British soldier should maintain magazine speed for the longest time. The cost of the Lee-Metford rifle exceeds that paid under certain contracts made in the countries using them for the Mannlicher and Mauser rifles; but the difference would be to a large extent accounted for by the higher wages paid in this country.
§ MAJOR RASCHMay I ask if the report is correct, which states that the life and endurance of the Lee-Metford rifle is limited to 3,300 rounds?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI cannot say.