§ MR. OSBORNEasked the Secretary of State for War, If it be true that the 1855 conversion upon Palliser's plan of cast-iron 32-pounders had proved so successful as to have induced the Ordnance Authorities to order the heavy 68-pounder smooth-bore cast-iron guns to be converted upon the same system into rifled 80-pounders; Whether he would state what number of cast-iron guns had been converted up to the present time, and also in round numbers how many cast-irons guns there are in the various fortifications, arsenals, and dockyards at home and abroad which are available for conversion into 80-pounders, 64-pounders, and 56-pounders; Whether the old smooth-bores are not quite useless, and the converted guns thoroughly efficient in every repect; And, if Sir William Palliser had perfected the construction of the converted gun to such an extent by experiments made at his own expense that no alteration or improvement had been made in his plans?
§ SIR HENRY STORKSSir, the conversion of cast-iron guns into rifled ordnance has been going on since 1868, in accordance with the recommendations of the late Ordnance Select Committee, whose Report, dated the 29th of January, 1868, was presented to the House of Commons by command. The conversion into 64-pounders commenced in 1868, and the order for proceeding with the heavier 80-pounder guns was given in 1870. 1,146 guns have been converted up to the present time, and there are, in round numbers, between 8,000 and 9,000 cast-irons guns at home and abroad which are available for conversion, if required. The converted guns are efficient weapons, but smooth-bores are not quite useless. Extensive experiments were made with converted guns at the public expense before they were adopted into the service; other experiments were made at the cost of Sir William Palliser, and the grant awarded to him was accepted by him in full discharge of all claims.