§ MR. R. W. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India what military stores are manufactured in India, and in what cases the stores manufactured in India form the total supply of that kind for the British forces in that country; whether those 1439 stores include cordite; and, if not, when it is expected to commence the manufacture of that powder; and in what cases a system of simultaneous tenders for military stores in England and in India is adopted?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Mr. HENRY FOWLER, Wolverhampton, E.)Speaking generally, all military stores that can be satisfactorily and economically manufactured in India are obtained in that country; but it is impossible to give a list of the stores which are wholly provided in this way. Cordite has not yet been made in India, and the question of its manufacture there is under consideration. No system of simultaneous tenders for military stores has been adopted.
§ MR. HANBURYasked how long it was since the plant for the manufacture of cordite was actually sent out, and whether the delay was due to any want of confidence as to the ability of Indian manufacturers to manufacture cordite?
§ MR. FOWLERNo, Sir, the question is entirely one of climate whether cordite can be safely manufactured in India.