HC Deb 11 December 1888 vol 331 cc1763-4
MR. HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

asked the Secretary of State for War, What negotiations preceded the contract for 20,000 swords concluded with a German firm in October, 1885; when they were commenced; under whose instructions; what was the contract price; and, what efforts were made to ascertain if the swords could be made at Sheffield, or elsewhere in the United Kingdom, and at what cost, before the order was placed in a foreign country; and, how many of these swords have been issued to the troops; what regiments are armed with them, and if they have all been subjected to the recent tests; what alterations were thus found to be necessary; and, what was the expense of carrying them out?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)

My hon. Friend will find a full account of this contract at Questions 1,203–4 of the Report of Sir James Fitzjames Stephen's Commission. The only sword-makers in this country at that time, in addition to the Government Small Arms Factory, were Messrs. Mole, of Birmingham, who could only make a limited number, and Messrs. Wilkinson, who made officers' swords. It was thought, therefore, absolutely necessary to get the remainder made at Solingen. I am informed that the advertisements for a more important contract, for 150,000 sword bayonets, elicited no tender from Sheffield. The contract price for the Solingen swords in 1885 was 20s. a sword. When the time came for a new contract, I have been anxious, in spite of the enormous difficulties which surround the matter, to encourage the art of sword-making in England by placing it in this country. I am afraid I cannot answer my hon. Friend's second Question without more elaborate inquiries; but I have already stated that, when exposed to the extra tests last year, the swords which failed included a proportion of those from all makers.

MR. HOWARD VINCENT

asked, whether no tender was received from any English house in answer to the advertisement?

MR. E. STANHOPE

said, he was afraid he could not answer that question.