§ MR. PAULTON (Durham, Bishop Auckland)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether the 12.5 quick-firing Maxim field guns supplied to the Egyptian Army have proved satisfactory; whether both the German and the French Field Artillery are extensively armed with quick-firing guns; and whether our Field Artillery has any such armament whatever?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe 12½ pr. B.L. gun referred to is not a quick-firer. A report on the gun has been received from the Sirdar, but the trials, though they are believed to be satisfactory, have not been sufficient to establish its character. It is reported that the German and French Field Artillery are being armed with quick-firing guns, but there is no absolutely reliable information concerning their efficiency. No pains are being spared to supply our Field Artillery with a quick-firing gun.