§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 'War what is the reason assigned for the recent bursting of the 40-pounder gun at Sheerness; how many of such guns are in the hands of Volunteers; and, how many have been issued to them during the last two years?
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE,) Lincolnshire, HorncastleThis gun burst because a shot used at drill had been left in the bore of the gun, and because the examination of the bore before loading (which is required by the Drill Manual) was not properly made. There are 203 such guns in the hands of the Volunteers, of which 37 were issued during the last two years.