§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)asked the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, Whether it is the fact that it is in contemplation to appoint Colonel Maitland (Superintendent of Gun Factory at Woolwich) to a higher post; and, who is chiefly responsible for the design of the 14 43-ton guns condemned as worthless, after the bursting of the Collingwood's gun, and which cost about £90,000?
§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)also asked, What use it was intended to make of the 13 guns which had not burst, and which had been condemned as useless?
§ THE SURVEYOR GENERAL (Mr. NORTHCOTE) (Exeter)The first part of the Question is for the Secretary of State. I can only say that, as yet, I have received no information on the subject; and I presume that my right hon. Friend is unlikely to consider questions of new appointments until he has studied the Reports of the Royal Commission and of the Earl of Morley's Committee on the Manufacturing Departments. With regard to the second 710 part of the Question, Colonel Maitland accepts the responsibility for the design and submission of the Collingwood, gun to the Ordnance Committee. So far from these guns being condemned as worthless, they are being chase-hooped and issued for service in the forts, and are used with most satisfactory results for testing the new steel armour-piercing projectiles. As regards the chase, the part which failed, the design was in conformity with the practice of the best Continental makers of ordnance, all of whom have been compelled to follow the chase-hooping plan which has been adopted by us.