HC Deb 22 February 1898 vol 53 cc1346-8
MR. J. GRETTON (Derbyshire, S.)

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if his attention has been called to the fact that in the notice for applications it was stated that the successful candidate for the post of Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield should also hold the newly-created position of Deputy Director General of Ordnance Factories; if Mr. Donaldson is now occupying those two positions; and when and where did Mr. Donaldson acquire knowledge of military rifles and machine guns and their manufacture?

MR. POWELL WILLIAMS

The Deputy Director General of Ordnance Factories is at present occupying also the post of Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield. His mechanical training and experience render him thoroughly competent to carry out the manufacture, not only of military rifles and machine guns, but also of ordnance of other and larger calibres. I would remind my hon. Friend, however, that the satisfactory management and control of a large manufacturing undertaking call for the exercise of other important qualifications besides mechanical knowledge, and the Secretary of State is satisfied that Mr. Donaldson possesses these qualities.

MR. ALLAN (Gateshead)

Arising out of that, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that Mr. Donaldson has had no experience in the manufacture of machine guns and rifles, or of anything pertaining to such mechanical departments?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

Mr. Donaldson is a highly-trained mechanical engineer, and therefore acquainted with the processes used in the manufacture of guns of all kinds.

MR. ALLAN (Gateshead)

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he is aware that Mr. Donaldson's training as a mechanical engineer has been entirely in opposition to guns, rifles, or anything of the sort?

MR. POWELL-WILLIAMS

I am aware of the contrary. Mr. Donaldson was trained at the Crewe engineering works of the London and North Western Railway, and his training there, as I have already said, qualifies him to carry on mechanical operations of any kind.

MR. WEIR (Ross, Cromarty)

Are not the Crewe works largely devoted to constructing railway locomotives?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order !