§ COLONEL SALIS-SCHWABEasked the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, 1028 Whether it is the case that only one English contractor is employed by the War Office for the manufacture of swords; what sum was paid to him for the manufacture of the 1884 pattern swords which have already been withdrawn as unserviceable; and, whether this contractor was himself a member of the War Office Committee which designed this sword of unserviceable pattern? He would ask, also, the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, as the Secretary of State for War has made considerable purchases of swords in Germany, he will direct the Commercial Attaché to the British Embassies and Legations in Europe to make a full report on the manufacture of such purchases, especially with regard to quality, cost of material, and cost of labour?
§ THE SURVEYOR GENERAL (Mr. WOODALL)It is the case that only one English contractor has been employed to manufacture swords; but practically there is only one firm in England which was at the time in a position to execute very large orders. The unserviceable pattern referred to was that of 1883, not 1884; and the sum paid to the contractor for swords of that pattern was £2,682 1s. The sword in question was not designed by a Committee. It was submitted by the Military Authorities, and, before being adopted, was extensively tried by several Cavalry regiments. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will allow me to reply to the next Question which stands in his name. The practice of the War Department has been, in cases where orders for small arms or swords have been entrusted to manufacturers at home or abroad, to have the works inspected by the Superintendent of our Royal Small Arms Factory. In the instance referred to, we have been satisfied with the general conditions under which the contract is being executed, and with the quality produced. Under these circumstances, it does not appear necessary to ask the assistance of the Foreign Office Attaohés.