§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether ho can state who is responsible for advising the purchase of eighteen batteries of field guns from Germany; were they delivered according to contract, and inspected previously to acceptance; did the manufacturers supply projectiles, and what percentage of premature bursts have occurred; and have any other points of weakness developed in the mountings beyond the axle-trees.
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Secretary of State, under the advice of the responsible officers, is responsible for the purchase of all artillery guns, and of these as well as others. They were delivered according to contract and inspected previously to acceptance. The manufacturers supplied projectiles and fuses. No premature bursts have occurred. Some defects have been discovered, which will be remedied.