HC Deb 05 April 1894 vol 22 c1437
MR. A.C. MORTON (Peterborough)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any alteration in the orders to be given to the Enfield Small Arms Factory for Navy rifles has been made' since the Ordnance Vote was taken in March?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) Hanley

(who replied) said: No alterations in the allocation of rifles to be manufactured during the financial year have been made since the Ordnance Factory Vote was taken on March 16. It was then explained by the Secretary of State that Enfield and Birmingham would be worked as part of one establishment, and that it had been arranged that 15,000 rifles required by the Admiralty should be allocated to Spark-brook, the completion of rifles in hand, the manufacture of cavalry carbines, and the conversion of Martini-Henry rifles for the Artillery, with other demands for the now current year, providing work at Enfield for a, number of hands not less, I hope, than those employed at the present time.

MR. BENN (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

Will the sum voted for wages still stand?

MR. WOODALL

Yes, the only change is that the two factories are now to be worked as part of one establishment.

MR. A. C. MORTON

Is it not a fact that it costs 25 per cent. more to manufacture the rifles at Spark brook than at Enfield?

MR. WOODALL

No, Sir.

MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

Then how much more does it cost?

MR. WOODALL

If the hon. Member will give notice of the question I will come prepared with an answer.