HC Deb 02 November 1908 vol 195 c760
MR. CARLILE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish the House with a detailed analysis of the relative merits of the service rifle and the Ross rifle.

MR. HALDANE

The merits and demerits of these rifles are matters of opinion, and I cannot undertake to discuss them within the limits of a reply to a Question.

MR. CARLILE

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table the results of the inquiry into this matter?

MR. HALDANE

I think I had better not. We have had to consider the merits of many rifles, including the Ross rifle, and I do not think it would be in the public interest to enter into details with regard to any individual rifle.