§ SIR JOHN COLOMBI beg , to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the adoption of the short rifle for general use of the Army was sanctioned and approved by the Commander-in-Chief before the abolition of that office.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER,) Belfast, W.Yes, Sir. In 1901 the Commander-in-Chief decided that it was most important that the manufacture of the modified shortened Lee-Enfield Rifle should be proceeded with without delay.