COLONEL LONG (Worcestershire, Evesham)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War how many batteries of Horse and Field Artillery have had their annual practice at Shoeburyness this year; how many rounds 1590 were fired in their competitions for prizes; how many missfires there were during the competitions; and whether it is true that the friction tubes issued for the prize competitions were not of the latest approved pattern?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK, Surrey, Guildford)Twenty-three horse and field batteries have this year had their annual practice at Shoeburyness. They fired 3,471 rounds in competition for prizes. In these there were 269 missfires. The friction tubes issued were of the pattern now in use. A newer pattern with a lighter pull off has been approved, and will shortly come into use.