MR. MUNRO FERGUSON&c.) (Leith,asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in view of the recent melinite experiments at Portsmouth, and seeing that a European Power of the first class has developed the use of that explosive during the last three years, and is now completely supplied with it in all branches of the Army and the Fleet, he can state whether the Government now regard the use of melinite as a necessary provision for the exigencies of modern war; and, if so, when it will be issued to Her Majesty's Forces?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The recent trials referred to were made with a higher explosive akin to melinite, but of which I am not prepared to divulge the composition. The results, though not yet complete, were of a satisfactory nature; and I have little doubt that, with the projectiles which are now under manufacture, we shall be able to make use of a high explosive.