§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Dublin Co., S.)asked the Secretary of State for War, If the authorities intend giving Colonal Hope any facilities for the testing of the new gun he is constructing, and for its trial against guns of the same or heavier calibre at present in use in Her Majesty's service; and, whether, if these trials prove the superiority of 1464 Colonel Hope's gun, it will be adopted for use in Her Majesty's service?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)If Colonel Hope submits his gun to the War Department for trial it will be tried in the usual way at Woolwich and Shoe-buryness under the Ordnance Committee. Any subsequent steps would, of course, await their Report.