§ MR. COURTENAY WARNERI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the Special Reserve will be able to become acquainted with the use of the new rifle which would be the weapon they would have to use if required for active service; and if he would consider the advisability of deferring some of the six months training of the infantry recruits in the Special Reserve until such time as they can be provided for drill purposes with rifles they would have to use if called up for war service.
§ MR. HALDANERecruits of the Special Reserve are at present trained in musketry with the short, rifle. It is anticipated that it will be possible to re-arm the infantry of the Special Reserve with the short rifle before the 1846 next annual training. I do not think, therefore, that the action suggested by my hon. friend would be expedient.