§ SIR HENRY TYLER (Great Yarmouth)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether any inquiry has yet been instituted into the recant failure of the 43-ton gun; and, if so, whether he could state the names of the gentlemen appointed to act on such inquiry; and, whether any Report has yet been made to the War Department on the subject; 1161 or, if not, when such a Report may be expected, and whether it will be made public?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN)&c.) (Stirling,The subject has been referred to the Ordnance Committee, under the Presidency of Lieutenant General Sir M. Biddulph, R.A., with Rear Admiral Ward as Vice President. The other members are—for the Navy, Captains Hammill and Jenkyns, R.N.; Military members, Major General Eraser, Colonels Baylay and Davies, and Major Colquhoun; Civilians, Professor Barlow and Sir Frederick Bramwell. For the purposes of this inquiry there will be associated with the Committee Sir William Armstrong, Sir Frederick Abel, Colonel Maitland, Captain Noble, and a representative of Sir Joseph Whitworth's firm. The Committee will be requested to expedite their inquiry as much as they conveniently can, and when their Report is received it will be for further determination what subsequent steps may be requisite. With regard to the publication of the Report, I would prefer to reserve my opinion until I have received and considered it.