HC Deb 05 January 1894 vol 20 c923
COMMANDER BETHELL

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to re-arm the Navy with the Lee-Metford rifle?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

The subject of introducing the Magazine rifle into the Navy will be dealt with in the explanations to Parliament of next year's Estimates. Meanwhile, my hon. and gallant Friend will find general information on the subject in page 8 of the Statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty explanatory of the current year's Navy Estimates, which states that— It is now anticipated that it will be possible in 1894–5 to proceed with the re-armament of the Navy (with the Magazine rifle), and carry it out in that and succeeding years, as originally intended.

COMMANDER BETHELL

May I ask whether, before deciding the point, the Admiralty will take into consideration the claims of another rifle by the same inventor, which appears to be more simple in construction and cheaper—namely, the Lee straight-pull rifle?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

That question should be addressed in the first instance to the Secretary of State for War.