§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is the fact that the German firm which supplied the defective Cavalry swords, now being re-stiffened and otherwise treated at Enfield, are closely associated with Messrs. Wilkinson, the contractors for the new bayonets; whether a higher price was given to Messrs. Wilkinson, as being English manufacturers, and to encourage sword and bayonet making in this country; whether, nevertheless, only a portion are being made in this country, and large quantities of bayonets are now being received at Messrs. Wilkinson's, and have for three weeks past been received, from Germany in a very advanced stage of manufacture; whether the number of Germans employed at Messrs. Wilkinson's bayonet works has during the last month actually increased, and not decreased; whether English machinery and English processes are principally employed; and, if so, what are the precise processes which the German workmen are teaching; how many of the Germans speak English, and how are themselves engaged upon piecework, and cannot spare time for, and are not paid for, giving such instruction; whether any application was made to the Superintendent or the Manager of Enfield Factory for spare skilled hands, to instruct Messrs. Wilkinson's workmen; whether skilled English workmen who did apply for work were offered by Messrs. Wilkinson only 5d. per hour, or two thirds only of the wages paid for such work at Enfield; when the first delivery of bayonets became due under the original and revised 1240 contracts respectively; and, what deliveries have actually taken place?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)I have already stated that the German firm did not supply defective swords. I understand that a member of that firm has joined Messrs. Wilkinson's firm. The contract was given to Messrs. Wilkinson for the sword-bayonets because they undertook to manufacture them in this country; and they might have been obtained from Solingen at a less price. No application was made to the Enfield Factory for instructors. The original contract was suspended for many months owing to changes of pattern. The real pattern was not supplied till August, nor the gauges till September last. Up to this time about 11,000 bayonet blades have been passed, and a delivery of 1,000 a-week is expected. The firm are not under obligation to give me information on the other points asked by my hon. Friend, and I have no means of answering; his Questions; but my noble Friend the Member for the Enfield Division (Viscount Folkestone) recently visited Messrs. Wilkinson's factory, and was shown all the details concerning it.
§ MR. HANBURYIf I can produce the very men who unpacked, or who saw unpacked, these bayonets from Germany, tempered and finished in every way, will my right hon. Friend inquire into the matter?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI have always said to my hon. Friend that if he would sometimes do me the favour to speak to me in private, I should be only too glad to remedy any grievances he might point out. I desire, equally with him, to expose any abuse; but I am not always sure that categorical explanations in this House are always the best means to adopt.