§ * SIR ROBERT HOBART (Hampshire, New Forest)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he has received any report of an accident which occurred a few days ago at Pirbright to a young officer, who was shot through the stomach; whether, owing to the similarity of the long blank ammunition and the service ammunition, he has received reports that bullets have been frequently heard over- 632 head at sham fights, with danger to onlookers at royal and other reviews; and whether he will consider the advisability of a return to the short blank ammunition under these circumstances.
§ MR. BUCHANANNo details of this accident have as yet been received at the War Office from the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Aldershot. It has been decided that for manæeuvres and field training short blank ammunition only will be used, the long blank being reserved for instructional purposes.
§ * SIR ROBERT HOBARTMay I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the possibility of stray bullets on field days has made such an impression on the troops that officers have now less trouble in instructing their men in the art of taking cover?
§ MR. BUCHANANIt is with a view to obviate these and other disadvantages, which have arisen that this general order has been issued.