HC Deb 10 June 1907 vol 175 cc1065-6
MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to cases that have occurred within the last few days of cartridges bursting in the rifle at Enfield; will he state the number of such cases, and say whether these cartridges were the new Mark VI.; and what steps have boon taken to put this matter right.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE, Haddington)

My attention has been called to these cases, of which there were sixty-four in the last three months at Enfield. The ammunition was in one case, made by a private firm, Mark VI., and in the other cases was specially made in Ordnance Factories to give 1,960 f. s. velocity for proof of rifles—being in other respects similar to Mark VI. The matter is under consideration, and in the meantime another Latch of ammunition is being used.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is any mercuric chloride used in these cartridges?

MR. HALDANE

was understood to reply in the negative.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish any information regarding the defects in Mark VI. or other regulation ammunition; how many cases there have been during the last three months of cartridges bursting in the barrel; how many cases of blow backs; how many accidents have occurred; to what cause are these accidents attributed; and have all these defective cartridges been called in with a view to preventing further mishaps.

MR. HALDANE

The investigation of defects recently found in the ammunition at Enfield is not yet completed. The number of cases of cartridges bursting in the barrel amounted to sixty-four at Enfield, and five at Woolwich. There were also four cases with service ammunition at out-stations, but full particulars are not yet to hand. A blow back is an escape of gas round the cap, and unless serious is not reported. As regards accidents, two men have been slightly injured by escaping gas at Enfield, and in two of the four cases at out-stations injuries were caused to two men. The use of any cartridges known to be defective will be stopped.