§ LORD AVELANDasked the Undersecretary of War whether any and what steps had been taken to afford instruction in musketry practice, and in the use of the rifle to the staffs of the disembodied militia regiments, so that they might be competent to teach their men; and whether any Enfield rifles had been issued to them or to the regiments of militia ordered for training?
LORD ROSSLYNsaid, that his noble Friend at the head of the War Department had conferred with the General Commanding-in-Chief, and arrangements had been made to send a portion of the permanent staffs of the disembodied militia regiments to Hythe for instruction in rifle practice. No Enfield rifles had been issued to the disembodied militia regiments, but some had been already issued to the embodied regiments, and it was intended to issue more from time to time, as the men should be reported to have become proficient in the use of the weapon.