HC Deb 09 March 1885 vol 295 cc430-1
MR. HOULDSWORTH

asked the Secretary of State for War, If it is the case, as stated in the newspapers, that a "large contract for portable railway and small locomotives for the Soudan" has been given to Mr. W. G. Bagnall, Castle Engine Works, at Stafford; if so, whether Mr. Bagnall has ever made any locomotives before; whether he has the necessary machines and tools for the execution of this contract on his premises; whether he has to begin by building workshops before he can begin to do the work contracted for; and, whether there are not many larger and more experienced firms in the Country fully prepared and able to do work of this description without any delay, and at the lowest possible cost?

MR. C. B. M'LAREN

asked, whether it was not an abuse of the Forms of the House to put on the Notice Paper a Question affecting the business capacity and credit of individual traders?

MR. SPEAKER

I do not see anything out of Order in the Question, or it would not be upon the Paper.

MR. BRAND

It is the case that an order for five 18-inch gauge locomotives and certain railway materials of the same gauge has been given to the Castle Engine Works firm, being a portion of a larger supply distributed between them and other makers. Small locomotives of this class are, I am given to understand, a specialty of this firm. An Inspector from the War Office visited their works, and reported that he found everything necessary for the execution of this contract, as well as locomotives in progress of construction, so that the necessity for building workshops for this particular contract is not apparent.

MR. C. B. M'LAERN

asked, whether it was not the fact that Mr. Bagnall was the President of the Conservative Association at Stafford?

SIR JOSEPH PEASE

asked, whether these locomotives were included in Messrs. Lucas and Aird's contract?

MR. BRAND

said, the locomotives were included in that contract.