§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any information since 11th of September, 1893, as to the action of Danish smokeless powder cartridges, containing no nitro-giycerine (hard metal-covered bullets), on the barrels of Maxim guns; if he has yet ascertained whether erosion of the regulation barrel is attributable to the shape of the nickel-covered bullet, the character of the rifling, or to cordite; and whether a better class of steel has been introduced in the manufacture of the regulation barrel since the 11th of September, 1893?
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo information as to the action of Danish smokeless powder on the barrels of Maxim guns has been received at the War Office. Recent experiments appear to point to the desirableness of a change in the character of the rifling of the barrels of Maxim guns. As regards the steel for the barrels, an amended specification was adopted in November last, modifying some of the tests formerly required.