§ MR. HANBURYI should like to ask the Secretary of State for War when the Report on the Waltham inquiry, which the right hon. Gentleman promised would be circulated before the Ordnance Factory Vote was taken, will be published; whether it is part of the arrangement that the Ordnance Vote shall be taken along with the Army Votes; and whether it is at all necessary that the Ordnance Factory Vote should be taken now?
§ "MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANYes, Sir; I understand that, in the opinion of the Public Accounts Committee and the Treasury, it is necessary, or, at all events, desirable in strict regularity, that the Ordnance Factory Vote should be taken before the conclusion of the financial year. With regard to the Report of the inquiry mentioned, I am sorry to say the inquiry has taken longer than was anticipated. The Report is now almost complete, but I am afraid it cannot be in the bands of Members before Friday next. Every step will be taken to expedite its production.
§ MR. HANBURYSeeing that the Report raises the whole question of the management of the factories, and as there is no urgent necessity in the matter, may I appeal to the right hon. Gentleman not to bring on the Vote on Friday.
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have just stated a reason why there is an urgent necessity to take the Vote. It is not any desire of mine to take it this week, but I am acting under the orders and directions of the Financial Authorities.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, N.E.)Would it not be possible, consistently with the requirements of the case, for the Government to give a day after Easter in order to discuss the important questions which will undoubtedly be raised by the Report not yet laid on the Table?
§ * MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI certainly am most anxious there should be an opportunity for discussion after the Report is published. I shall be glad to arrange with the right hon. Gentleman some convenient day.