HC Deb 24 June 1907 vol 176 cc876-7
MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY (St. Andrews Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether ho can give any information as to the report of defects recently discovered in the steel supplied to the War Department for the manufacture of lyddite shells for His Majesty's service, which involve the danger of a shell-burst in the gun; how many such shells are in store; and what steps are being taken regarding them.

MR. HALDANE

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies I gave on this subject to my hon. friend the Member for King's Lynn on the 13th ultimo and 19th instant, † to which I have nothing to add.

MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the bursting of a shell in the howitzer battery at Lydd on Saturday? Was that due to defective steel?

MR. HALDANE

I have no reason to believe it had anything to do with it.