§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether each of the new rifles will be separately tested by being shot at various ranges, or whether only ten out of a hundred will be so tested as was the former custom. I beg also to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that the new Government rifle, on account of the reduction in its weight and the increased twist of the grooving of the barrel, kicks so much as to seriously affect accurate shooting, he will consider the advisability of discontinuing the manufacture of this rifle until it has been thoroughly tested in India.
§ * MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER;In reply to these Questions, I have to say that each of the new rifles will be tested and sighted individually. The tests of the new rifle have been completed, and there are no grounds for discontinuing manufacture. The twist of the rifling has not been increased not the accuracy of the rifle impaired by the reduction in weight.