§ MR. D. A. THOMAS (Merthyr Tydvil)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether any information, either official or private, has now been received as to the failure in Switzerland of the compound Rubini cartridge, having a loose brass ring, issued for trial with the new magazine rifle, in consequence of the loose brass rings, in which the bullets are seated, blowing forward; whether any information has been received as to the determination of the Swiss Military Authorities to abandon or to adopt the particular pattern of cartridge in question; and, whether any inquiry has been made?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I have heard, incidentally, that the Rubini cartridge has not been altogether successful in Switzerland; but I have no official knowledge on the subject. Experiments with this cartridge have been made for the War Office for the purposes of the new magazine rifle. The new rifle is not dependent on this cartridge; but the best cartridge for its purpose which can be discovered will be used.