§ MR. COURTHOPETo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in the new converted long Lee-Enfield rifle there are no swivel-lugs in front of the magazine, and that consequently the sling cannot be used as an assistance to the firer; and whether, in view of the fact that the use of the sling improves the shooting of almost all users of the rifle, he will give directions that, in the case of all future conversions, the guard-screw in front of the magazine shall either carry a swivel or shall be interchangeable with the swivel-screw on the toe of the butt.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) Placing a swivel-lug immediately in front of the magazine when converting the long Lee-Enfield rifle was carefully considered. The conclusion come to was that there was not sufficient advantage to be derived from so doing.