§ MR. KENRICK (Birmingham, N.)(for Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN) (Birmingham, W.) asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it is true that the Small Arms Factory at Sparkbrook was purchased by the Government about two years ago, on the liquidation of the Small Arms and Ammunition Company, Limited; whether, since the purchase, a sum of about £50,000 has been spent in laying down new machinery and improving existing plant; whether the Government are now removing large quantities of the new machinery to the Enfield Factory; and, whether there is any intention on the part of the Government to transfer the manufacture at Sparkbrook to the works at Enfield?
§ THE SECRETARY Of STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)The Small Arms Factory at Sparkbrook was purchased in 1885. About £31,000 has been spent in laying down new machinery and improving existing plant. Some of the machinery is in course of removal to Enfield, for the purpose of starting the manufacture of the new magazine rifle. The intention may be stated generally to be that the Government manufacture of small arms will be carried on at Enfield alone; but large contracts for arms have been placed in Birmingham, so that the artizans there will not suffer by the removal of this machinery from Sparkbrook, and this place will be utilized as the principal Government depôt for repairs.