§ SIR FREDERICK BANBURY (City of London)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if on the 1st November 1906, a portion of the 303-inch small arm ammunition held as a war reserve at stations abroad was beyond the age when such ammunition could be regarded as reliable, or should be reported upon with a view to its disposal, in accordance with the regulations for Army ordnance services.
§ MR. HALDANEThere is no reason to believe that any portion of the 303-inch small arm ammunition held as war reserve at stations abroad on the 1st ultimo was unreliable through age. The whole question of replacing existing stocks of small arm ammunition abroad by charger packed ammunition suitable for use with the new short rifle, now in process of issue, is under consideration.
§ SIR FREDERICK BANBURYHas it been recently decided to increase the age limit of this ammunition?
§ MR. HALDANEI should like notice of that Question.
§ LORD BALCARRES (Lancashire, Chorley)Is there any reason to believe this deficiency was not well known at headquarters?
§ MR. HALDANEIt is not a question of deficiency, it is one of reliability, which is a scientific matter. We have no reason to believe it is unreliable.