HC Deb 26 March 1908 vol 186 c1556
MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty, in reference to the refusal of the Board to state the amount and value of the large quantity of cordite which has been destroyed because of the presence of mercuric chloride, whether the Board have furnished, or propose to furnish, the Auditor-General with the information; and whether the reserves of ammunition were at once brought up to compensate for these unexpected losses.

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Mr. EDMUND ROBERTSON,) Dundee

No cordite has been destroyed because it contained mercuric chloride.

MR. BELLAIRS

Was it then because it had deteriorated?

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

Yes, on account of age.