§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can furnish any details regarding the bursting of a shell in a howitzer, whereby the howitzer was destroyed and men's lives jeopardised, 1378 at Lydd on Saturday last; and to what does ho attribute the accident.
§ MR. HALDANEA portion of the muzzle of an 8-inch R.M.L. howitzer was blown away at Lydd on the 29th ultimo (not on Saturday last), apparently by the premature explosion of a black powder filled common shell in the bore. No reason for the destruction of the howitzer can be assigned. Although formerly numerous prematures occurred with powder-filled shells, this is the first instance of any damage having been caused thereby to the howitzer.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYasked whether there was a defect in the shell such as had been complained of the other day.
§ MR. HALDANEWe have no reason to think so.