§ MR. LEAMYasked the Secretary of State for War, If he has any objection to state the number of guns examined by the Ordnance Committee since 1st January last; the branch of the public service for which those guns were intended; the names of the inventors; and if any of the guns consisted of more than one chamber, and, if so, how many?
§ MR. CHILDERSSir, the hon. Member is mistaken in supposing either that the Ordnance Committee commenced its duties in January last, or that it is its function to examine guns indiscriminately. Its work began, as I have already informed the House, in April, and the only duty of the Committee is to report to the Secretary of State on questions of ordnance and kindred subjects especially referred to them by him. The most important question so referred to them is that of the muzzle and breech-loading guns of the greatest calibres, from 43 tons to 100 tons weight; but this has not stood in the way of some less important references, and about 14 smaller guns have been brought by me to their notice. I see no reason to give the House further details now, when the Committee has been at work for so short a time; but I hope, in moving the next Army Estimates, to afford the House useful information on this subject.