HC Deb 29 August 1895 vol 36 c1114
MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he will state the names and addresses of the firms with whom arrangements have been made for the manufacture of cordite powder?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. POWELL WILLIAMS,) Birmingham, S.

Contracts for cordite have been made with Messrs. Kynoch & Co., of Witton, Birmingham, and the National Explosives Company, of Philpot Lane, E.C. From 1889 to the present time the sum of £47,750 has been expended in the Ordnance factories on machinery for the manufacture of nitro-glycerine and cordite. No money has been granted to private firms for the same purpose.

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War if he will state the amount of money expended by the Government on special machinery for the manufacture of cordite powder, and also how much has been granted to private firms for a similar purpose, as had been stated to have been the case by his predecessor in office?

MR. WOODALL (Hanley)

said, he did not accept the accuracy of the statement made.

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

said, it was not within his knowledge that any such arrangements had been made.

MR. WEIR

said that, in consequence of the unsatisfactory reply he had received, he should take the earliest opportunity of calling further attention to the matter.