HC Deb 23 May 1887 vol 315 cc896-7
MR. HANBURY (Preston)

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, as seven high officials, one of whom is still a member of the Ordnance Committee, and another is the First Naval Lord of the Admiralty, have been named by the Secretary of State for War as being between them responsible for the manufacture or issue to almost the whole of the men of Her Majesty's Navy of arms, described by a Special Committee as "absolutely inefficient, untrustworthy, and unfit for service;" and, as Notice has been given of a Motion to give effect to the statement of the Secretary of State for War, by stopping or reducing the pay and pensions of such officials, if, after proper discussion, this House should be of opinion that they have failed in their duty, he will, under these circumstances, arrange that the Votes for such pay and pensions shall, in the Army and Navy Estimates respectively, be taken on an early day, and be brought forward at such a time as to allow of ample discussion, and of a Division being taken upon each of them?

THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)

I am informed by my right hon. Friend that letters have been written by his direction from the War Office to the Army officials mentioned by him as responsible for the issue of inefficient arms, calling their attention to the Report of the Special Committee, and asking for any observations they may have to offer. No replies have yet been received. The Admiralty deny that their officers are in any way responsible for the defects in strength or material of the weapons alluded to, their responsibility being confined to reporting upon the pattern, so far as its weight, size, and handiness were concerned. The responsibility for the quality of warlike stores has always rested with the manufacturer or issuer of such stores, and not with the user. I understand that my hon. Friend wishes to raise a debate and take a Division upon the subject generally. I shall be very glad to confer with him, and to arrange that an early day shall be fixed for the discussion of an Estimate or Estimates which will give him the opportunity of raising the question which he desires to bring before the House.