§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, owing to the batteries of field guns purchased in Germany having been paid for out of savings on Votes, an opportunity cannot be given to the House of discussing the value of the guns so obtained; whether, in addition to the admitted weakness in the axles, he has received information that the more important mechanism for running the gun forward into the firing position has proved unsatisfactory; and whether similar mechanism has been adopted in the gun of any foreign Power.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe springs for running the gun forward were found to be weak at long ranges. Stronger springs have been tried with satisfactory results at the longest ranges, and will be substituted for the weaker springs. Guns of this type are under trial in various foreign countries. I do not think any special opportunity for debate can be given, but, on the War Office Vote, very general discussion is permissible.
§ MR. M'GOVERN (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state how many guns for the use of the Army in South Africa were purchased in Germany between 1st November, 1899, and the 1st March, 1901; what was the total cost of these guns; and how many of them became defective after being used for a short time.
§ MR. BRODRICKI must refer the hon. Member to full replies on this subject which were given to questions put by the hon. Members for Wednesbury and the Chelmsford Division of Essex on the 28th February and 11th March respectively.†