§ MR. H. BAILLIEsaid, with reference to a Question he had put to the noble Marquess the other evening, as to the endurance of the 12-ton gun, which had burst after firing 400 rounds, he wished to ask. Whether the Government are still satisfied with the endurance of that gun; and likewise, whether the First Lord of the Admiralty, who was receiving those guns on board the fleet, is also satisfied on that point?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, the gun which the other day burst after firing 400 rounds was one of a pattern not yet adopted by the Government, and was certainly not of the same pattern as the gun which was now being issued to the navy. It was one which was lately constructed in the gun manufactory of the Government. He had not yet received any detailed report in reference to the matter, and therefore could not say whether the accident was to be attributed to any defect in the quality of the iron; but if the hon. Member would wait a few days he (the Marquess of Hartington) should be able to afford him fuller information.