§ MR. HARDCASTLE (Salford, N.)asked the Secretary of State for War, with reference to the statement of the First Lord of the Admiralty that five first-class iron-clads already complete are now waiting for their guns, and that two more nearly completed will have to wait till March, 1889, for theirs, and that this delay has arisen from miscalculation on the part of the manufacturers (including Messrs. Armstrong and Whitworth) as to the date of completion, Will he say whether these firms are manufacturing largely naval guns for Foreign Powers; and, whether, in the present condition of Europe, the Government will permit priority in the delivery of such guns to, or in the manufacture of such guns for, any Foreign Power while so considerable a portion of our Fleet is left wholly unsupplied?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)1363 I know that the firm of Sir William Armstrong and Co. have had foreign orders for guns; but I believe that the work which they carry out for the Italian Government will, for the future, be executed in Italy. I have no knowledge of any such foreign contracts being held by Messrs. Whitworth. The last Question raises a very grave question of public policy, which must be for the decision of the Government as a whole.