§ MR. BELLAIRSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any of the cordite containing mercuric chloride has been reissued from the ordnance depots to forts or ships of war since the active investigations undertaken in the early part of last year; and whether cordite containing mercuric chloride is regarded as part of the reserve or general stock.
§ MR. HALDANEAs far as the land service is concerned if any such cordite has for any reason been returned to a depot it is being reissued subject to satisfying a searching test. The reply to the latter part of the Question is in the affirmative. As the hon. and gallant Member has already been informed, all cordite is subjected to periodic tests of stability.