§ *MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish any information with regard to the comparative lengths of rifle and bayonet in present use by other great Powers, Germany. France, Austria, Russia, and Italy, with the rifle and bayonet about to be issued to our troops; and whether he can inform the House what are the advantages claimed for the British weapon.
§ MR. HALDANEThe comparative lengths of rifle and bayonet in present use by Powers are as follows: Germany, 5 ft. 9¾ in.; France, 5 ft. 11 in.; Austria, 4 ft. 11½ in.; Russia, 5 ft. 9 in.; Italy 5 ft. 2¼ in.; Great Britain, short rifle with new bayonet that is to be issued, 5 ft. 1¾ in.; Great Britain, short rifle with present pattern bayonet, 4 ft. 8¾ in. Great Britain, long rifle with present pattern bayonet, 5 ft. 1½ in.; Japan, 5 ft. 5½ in. The advantages claimed for the new bayonet are: (a) That its extra length and shape make it a better weapon for bayonet fighting; (b) That its shape is better adapted for such subsidiary purposes as cutting brushwood, etc., than the present service pattern.
§ *Major ANSTRUTHER-GRAYThen are the rifles and bayonets to be served out to our troops shorter than the majority used by foreign troops'?
§ MR. HALDANESome are shorter, as in the case of Austria, others are longer, as in the case of Germany.
§ MR. ARTHUR LEEWill the right hon Gentleman following precedent place samples of the weapons in the Tea-Room for inspection?
§ MR. HALDANEYes, Sir.