§ MR. JEFFREYS (Hampshire, Basingstoke)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether quantities of explosive and soft-nosed bullets were found concealed in the evacuated encampments of the Boers; and whether many of the British troops have been seriously wounded and maimed by these bullets, and what action he has taken in the matter.
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (MR. WYNDHAM,) DoverLord Roberts has reported the discovery of "expansive" bullets in Cronje's laager and elsewhere. There is no doubt that British troops have been wounded by these bullets. In view of the reply of President Kruger and Mr. Steyn to Lord Roberts' protest no further action at the present time would appear possible.
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)Will the hon. Gentleman state where any explosive bullets were found, and on what authority he makes the statement that there is no doubt that British troops have been wounded by expansive bullets?
§ *MR. WYNDHAMI make the statement on the authority of a great number of medical reports. I used the word "expansive," and not "explosive," because a large number of the bullets in question are more properly described as expansive. But there have been some sporting bullets used which might be called explosive.
§ MR. DILLONWill the hon. Gentleman refer me to the medical reports on which he relies?
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)Were these expansive and explosive bullets manufactured and supplied by British firms?
§ [No answer was given.]