asked the Secretary for Scotland whether there have been any, and, if so, how many, accidents caused in Scotland during the years 1911 and 1912, respectively, by the bursting of defective small arms, distinguishing the fatal from the non-fatal, and stating, as regards each case, the date on which it occurred, the nature and age of the defective small arm which burst, and whether the defect was an original defect or a defect caused by age and wear?

I am aware of only one accident caused by the bursting of a defective small arm during the years in question. This accident, which was non-fatal, occurred on 17th November, 1911, and was due to the bursting at the breech of a double-barrelled muzzle-loading gun, the age of which is not stated. The accident was due to age and wear.