§ MR. SHACKLETON (Lancashire, Clitheroe)To ask the Secretary of State for War what additions to buildings and plant have been made to the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, since 1890; what 1055 number of new service rifles were turned out in 1810–1891; what number it is proposed to turn out this year and next; what number of workmen were employed in 1890–1891, and the average wage of the piece workers; what number of workmen are employed now excepting those preparing new plant; and what is the present average wage of the piece workers.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The principal additions to buildings completed or approved are as follows:—New screwing shop, new shop for stock filers, accommodation for manufacture of new rifle, accommodation for conversion of rifles to new pattern, building for reserve of gunstocks, additional electric power. The total estimated cost of these is about £30,000. The principal additions to plant are in connection with the manufacture of the new short pattern rifle and the conversion of rifles to the new pattern, and may be estimated at about £40,000. The number of new service rifles turned out in 1890–91 was 92,127. The exact number of rifles which it is proposed to turn out this year and next cannot at present be stated. The number of workmen employed in 1890–91 was 3,203, and the piece workers earned on an average £1 13s. 7½d. weekly. The number of workmen now employed is 2,638. The work of preparing new plant is completed. The present average earnings of a piece worker may be set at £1 7s. 4½d. weekly. The difference in the average earnings for piece work now as compared with 1890–91 is due to short time.