§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he can state upon what date the manufacture of the new rifle was commenced and how many new rifles have been issued; also how many are now ready for issue.
§ *THE SECEETAEY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. ARNOLD-FORSTER, Belfast, W.)The manufacture of the components of the new rifle commenced in March,1903. 127,300 new rifles have been issued and 27,000 are ready for issue.