§ MR. WEIR () Ross and CromartyI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state the names of the officials responsible for the manufacture, examination, testing, and taking into stock £27,000 worth of defective ammunition which had recently to be thrown overboard from His Majesty's ships; and will he state what steps have been taken to prevent ammunition of this character from being again manufactured and passed into stock; and will he say whether the officials who are to blame in this matter are still retained in the service and in the same positions as hitherto.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATES FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordThe pattern of fuze which was found to be defective was adopted into the service in 1885. A new pattern was adopted in 1886. The defects which were considered to render it dangerous only appeared in 1899, and were appartently caused by prolonged rough usage. All stores of this nature are subjected to rough usage trials before they are approved for the service.
§ MR. WEIRcomplained that the right hon. Gentleman had not answered a single question as to the officials responsible for the issue of the ammunition.