§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War from what sources, if any, except Waltham Factory, cordite has been supplied to the Services; whether any private manufacturers are under contract to supply it to them; and how long a time is expected to elapse before it can be again supplied by the Waltham Factory?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. CAMPBELL -BANNEMAN', Stirling, &c.)Cordite has not been supplied to the Services from any other source than Waltham Abbey. No private manufacturers are under contract to supply it, but offers are about to be invited. It is expected that it will be two months before Waltham Abbey is able to resume full work, but it will probably be possible to make temporary arrangements for the manufacture of cordite much sooner.