§ Colonel WELBY (Taunton)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State' for War whether he is aware of the disadvantage in which our cavalry in South Africa have been placed by the imperfect sighting and deficient range of their carbines as compared with the rifles used by the Boers; whether these carbines are still being manufactured; and whether it is under consideration to rearm the cavalry with a weapon of full accuracy and range, even if it necessitates their carrying a long rifle in place of the carbine.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMThe question of substituting rifles for carbines cannot be taken up until full reports have been received from South Africa. Such reports have not yet been received, and, for the present, carbines are still being manufactured. The question of sighting has been reported on in this country, and new tests are now under consideration.