§ MR. DAVID THOMASI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether experiments have been made at Lydd by a Committee, to determine the extreme range and otherwise test the efficiency of the "Lee-Metford" rifle and ammunition; and, if so, whether he can, without prejudice to the public interest, lay the Report of the Committee upon the Table of the House; whether Sir Frederick Abel's "cordite" smokeless powder has proved satisfactory or otherwise; and whether the Military Authorities have determined to adopt that or any other smokeless powder?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThe object of the experiments was to test the maximum range of the rifle with reference to the security of rifle ranges, and it was found to be about two miles. As regards "cordite," I gave a full explanation concerning it in my speech upon the Army Estimates yesterday.
§ MR. MARJORIBANKS (Berwickshire)Has allowance been made for ricochet in the extreme range of the new rifle?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEa: I am afraid I cannot answer that question definitely now, but the answer refers to the maximum range, which, I take it, would include ricochet.