HC Deb 17 March 1884 vol 286 cc34-5
MR. TOMLINSON

asked the Secretary of State for War, What measure of truth there is in the statements in The Army and Navy Gazette of the 8th instant, that, when Alexandria was occupied, beautiful breech-loading artillery were rendered useless by the initial; tubes being split by gun-Cotton, and that a magazine of the most expensive torpedoes was destroyed; whether the guns so destroyed are to be replaced by Krupp guns lately ordered from Prussia; whether a steamer has sailed from England with torpedoes for Alexandria to replace those which were destroyed; and, whether the cost of the torpedoes so sent is included in the Army Estimates for the present year?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, only four 40-pounder breech-loading Armstrong guns were found at Alexandria; of these none were destroyed; 674 submarine mines of various natures wore destroyed, but no torpedoes. I am not aware that torpedoes have been despatched to Egypt from this country, and no provision for suck a service has been made in the Army Estimates.