§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, seeing that the majority of the imperial troops stationed in the British Central Africa Protectorate are armed with the Snider rifle, will arrangements be made to arm the troops with a more serviceable weapon at an early date; and is there any intention of replacing the old muzzle-loading artillery by guns of a more modern date.
§ *MR. WYNDHAMIn British Central Africa there are no Imperial troops who are armed with Snider rifles. Muzzle-loading artillery will, as opportunities occur, be replaced by breech-loading guns.
§ MR. WEIRWill the hon. Gentleman refer to the last Diplomatic and Consular Report, in which it is distinctly stated that the majority of our soldiers in British Central Africa are armed with the Snider rifle?
§ [No answer was given.]