§ MR. BRODRICK (Surrey, Guildford)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state, in reference to the order for projectiles recently given to a foreign firm, what was the name of the firm tendering; what was the calibre of the projectiles ordered; what was the total value of the order; at what price the foreign firm tendered; what is the latest price paid for similar projectiles to trade firms in England; and at what price they can be manufactured at Woolwich Arsenal?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH, Lancashire, Clitheroe)The total value of the contract for armour-piercing projectiles was £19,520, as already stated in Return No. 206 of the present Session. The particular class of projectiles thus contracted for cannot be made at Woolwich. It is not considered desirable to give the name of the firm, or the other particulars asked for in the question. I can only repeat that the foreign tender was more than 30 per cent. below that of any English firm.
§ MR. BRODRICKMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman what the cost would have been of making these projectiles at Woolwich? Did he ascertain that before giving the order to a foreign firm?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI have already informed the hon. Gentleman that they could not be manufactured at Woolwich.
§ MR. BRODRICKOn the Naval Vote I shall move a reduction of £19,520.