I 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, at Lydd on Saturday last; and to what does ho attribute the accident.

A 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.

asked whether there was a defect in the shell such as had been complained of the other day.

We have no reason to think so.