HC Deb 30 August 1895 vol 36 cc1253-5
MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that some of the Continental Powers use smokeless powders which do not cause erosion of the barrel of the magazine rifle, and having regard to the fact that erosion of the .303 barrel is still produced by the use of cordite powder, care will be taken to avoid the accumulation of an excessive stock of cordite powder cartridges until a really reliable smokeless powder be obtained?

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

The Secretary of State is not prepared to admit that cordite is not a reliable smokeless powder. The quantity of small-arm ammunition to be maintained will be that required by regulations with a reasonable reserve. ["Hear, hear!"]

MR. WEIR

asked whether he was aware that 2,000 rounds of the cordite powder exhausted the life of the rifle in question?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

I am not aware that that is the fact, and I do not think that the hon. Gentleman is. ["Hear, hear!" and laughter."]

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India, if he will state how many machine guns were in use in the Chitral Expedition; and, why black powder cartridges were used for these guns instead of cordite powder cartridges?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, Ealing,

said, there were two .45 bore Maxim guns with Sir Robert Low's force. A suitable cordite cartridge has not yet been worked out for this bore. ["Hear, hear."]

MR. WEIR

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, if he will state the names of the firms who tendered for the manufacture of cordite powder; the highest and lowest tender; the minimum number of tons for which tenders were invited; and, whether the lowest tender was accepted?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

Information as to tenders is regarded as confidential, as was explained by the hon. Member for Hanley (Mr. Woodall) on May 14th last. I am, therefore, unable to reply fully to the hon. Member's question. I may, however, tell him that, in this case, the lowest tender was accepted.

MR. WEIR

Will the hon. Gentleman state the number of tons for which tenders were invited?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

The Secretary of State does not think it desirable to give that information.

MR. WEIR

How many tons have been ordered from the respective firms?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

I cannot give information on that point either. It is not thought desirable in the public interest to do so.

MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)

I should like to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in refusing an answer, he has had regard to the fact that the Opposition in the late Parliament, stated that there was nothing to be lost by giving the information.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I have, Sir.