§ COLONEL WYNDHAM MURRAY (Bath)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 200 of the establishment of the Cadet Battalion King's Royal Rifles are supplied with obsolete and unserviceable Martini-Henry carbines without swords; and that this number are, in consequence, unable to take part in parades or class firing; and whether sufficient serviceable Martini-Enfield weapons with swords can now be provided to complete the armament of the whole battalion?
§ MR. BRODRICKUnder the regulations, Cadet Battalions are entitled to serviceable arms up to 50 per cent. of their strength for members who are old enough to carry out rifle practice, and to unserviceable arms suitable for drill purposes and for firing blank ammunition for the other half of their strength. Sufficient serviceable weapons are issued to Cadet Battalions to enable them to carry out ball practice. The remaining 827 weapons issued to the Corps are Martini-Henry carbines, for which a bayonet will shortly be provided. The action and general appearance of these weapons are similar to those of the Martini-Enfield carbines, and it is considered that they can be used together on parade.