HC Deb 19 February 1894 vol 21 cc724-5
CAPTAIN GRICE-HUTCHINSON (Aston Manor)

I bog to ask the Secretary of State for War what are the reasons of the Government for closing the Bagot Street Small Arms Factory in Birmingham; and whether, considering the fact that it will throw nearly 350 men out of employment and deprive Birmingham of some £2.5,000 per annum in wages, he could see his way to advising the Government to reconsider their determination?

*MR. WOODALL

(who replied) said: The maintenance of factories must depend on the work there is for them to carry out. The completion of the supplies of the magazine rifle required for immediate issue renders it impracticable to maintain two factories at Birmingham; and the workmen employed at the Bagot Street. Factory will therefore in the main be transferred to Sparkbrook.

CAPTAIN GRICE-HUTCHINSON

Would that involve any diminution of the labour already employed at Spark-brook?

MR. WOODALL

Yes.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN (Birmingham, W.)

Is it intended to stop the manufacture of magazine rifles at Enfield?

MR. WOODALL

Yes, during the coming year the production of rifles at Enfield and Sparkbrook will be practically discontinued. There will be a certain amount of work on which we hope to keep the men employed more or less at both factories, but the number of rifles already produced is sufficient for the requirements of the time.

MR. J. ROWLANDS

Are we to understand that no more rifles are required, or that the orders are going in other directions?

MR. WOODALL

No; I have already stated that the quantity produced is sufficient for the requirements of the time. There are outstanding contracts in the trade which will have to be completed.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

What quantity is supposed to be sufficient?

MR. WOODALL

There will on March 31 be Lee-Metford rifles for every branch of the Infantry.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

Will that include a supply of rifles for the Navy?

MR. WOODALL

No; the Navy, as the hon. Gentleman knows, orders its own rifles, and I am not responsible for them.

MR.BRODRICK (Surrey, Guildford)

Will the factory at Sparkbrook be maintained under the Director of Ordnance Factories, or the Inspection Department?

*MR. WOODALL

The repairs will be re-transferred to the Director General of Ordnance Factories.

COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary to the Admiralty referred me to him as to information regarding rifles for the Navy? MR. WEIR: Will the men who worked at Bagot Street and are accustomed to do repairs be transferred to the Sparkbrook Factory?

MR. WOODALL

I said so.