§ MR. KENRICK (Birmingham, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what progress had been made by Messrs. Wilkinson in the delivery of bayonets under their contract; whether the time specified for the completion of the contract for 150,000 bayonets was three years from the date of signing the same; and whether Government would insist on this condition being strictly observed?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEI explained on the 6th of December last that Messrs. Wilkinson's work was retarded by changes of pattern and delay in the supply of gauges. They have already supplied 21,288 blades, and the condition which will be insisted on is that 1,000 sword bayonets, on the average, shall be supplied weekly.