§ MR. EDWIN DE LISLE (Leicestershire, Mid)asked the Secretary of State for War, If he can state what quantity of solid-drawn cartridges there are in store; and, whether there is not fear that, in case of war, it would be necessary largely to make use of the Boxer Cartridges which have been manufactured since they were condemned on account of failure in the Soudan War?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (MR. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)On public grounds I entertain a strong objection to giving the information asked for; but I can assure the hon. Member that there is no fear of the supply of solid-drawn cartridges being deficient in case of war.
§ MR. DE LISLEinquired whether it was a fact that the Boxer cartridges had been manufactured in large quantities since they had been condemned?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHsaid, it was a fact that those cartridges had been manufactured, and issued, for practice purposes, to Volunteer corps.