§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the result of the experiments made at Aldershot and elsewhere since the 4th of September, 1893, with the view of ascertaining how many 303 cordite powder cartridges with nickel-covered bullets can be fired from the Maxim gun before the barrel becomes unfit for accurate shooting?
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo experiments have been made with the barrels of the Service Maxim gun, but at recent experiments at Hythe two experimental barrels fired 10,000 rounds each of cordite ammunition with nickel-covered bullets. At the termination of the trial the accuracy was as good as when the barrels were new, and each barrel was reported to be fit to fire several thousand rounds more.
§ MR. WEIRThe Report issued last year stated that experiments were being carried out at Aldershot. Were they carried out?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANNo, Sir; my information is that no such experiments have been made with the 1267 barrel of the Service gun. Only experimental barrels were used.