§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- 458 ment, in view of the fact that Kynoch' Limited, at the recent trials contended in opposition to the evidence of Sir Frederick Nathan, that the addition of mercuric chloride to explosives renders them more stable, whether the firm at any time prior to the action of the Home Office in seizing explosives in England and Ireland which contained this illegal ingredient made any representations with a view to getting the specifications of the explosives amended; and whether he is aware that the regulations of the American Army Ordnance Department expressly prohibit the introduction of mercuric chloride or any other substances which may in any way mask the heat test.
§ MR. GLADSTONEMessrs. Kynoch have never at any time applied to the Home Office for an Amendment of the definition of any of their explosives so as to allow of mercuric chloride being added as an ingredient. I believe it is the case that the United States Army Ordnance Department expressly prohibit the use of mercuric chloride or any other masking agent in explosives supplied to them.
§ MR. MOONEY (Newry)Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the evidence of Sir Frederick Nathan?
§ Mr. GLADSTONEI have not.