§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether as large a percentage of nitro-glycerine is still used in the manufacture of cordite powder as in June 1895; and whether any changes have been made in the manufacture of the powder, cartridge, or barrel, such as to bring about less erosion or fouling of the barrel of the Lee-Metford magazine rifle.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL-WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.No change has been made in the proportion of nitroglycerine in cordite. Neither the powder nor the cartridge of the magazine rifle has been altered; but the groove of the barrel has been changed with the object of increasiug its endurance and diminishing the metallic fouling, although as regards the latter no trouble has been experienced.