§ MR. NICOL (Argyll)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, will he explain why, although a combination cartridge containing blasting gunpowder passed all the necessary Woolwich tests on 16th March, it has not yet been placed on the Permitted List, notwithstanding the fact that all the high explosives which have passed the tests have been palced on such list: and whether he is aware that serious loss is being caused to the gunpowder trade by this exclusion from the Permitted List?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolThe particular cartridge referred to, which contained six ounces of gunpowder, would have been already on the list had not the makers desired that its definition in the list should be such as to include larger cartridges as well. The six-ounce cartridge will, in any case, be placed upon the list, and I have also intimated to the makers that a cartridge containing nine ounces of powder will be tested, and if it passes will also go upon the list. The cartridges are a new invention, the danger of the powder which they contain, and which would otherwise inflame coal gas, being neutralised by a special cooler. The effects, however, of this cooler are not sufficiently known to warrant my allowing larger cartridges for the present.
§ SIR W. H. DYKE (Kent, Dartford)May I ask the right honourable Gentleman whether he is not aware that the limitation in regard to this cartridge after it has passed the test in common with other explosives is calculated to seriously injure the gunpowder trade? I do not wish to press the right honourable Gentleman unduly?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENTMy endeavour is to enforce the same conditions for every kind of explosive, but in this case the test with the cooler was a special test, and, as I have said, the test has 760 not altogether established the effect of the cooler. I have signified my readiness to have another test applied, and I will act upon the result of that test.