§ COLONEL LOCKWOODI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what number of the service rifles, Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield, were made at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, during the years 1889–90,1890–91,1891–92,;1892–93, 1893–94; what was the cost per rifle each year; what number of Lee-Metford and Lee-Enfield rifles were made at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Birmingham, during the same period, and what was the cost per rifle for each year; what was the number of these rifles made at the Birmingham Small Arms Factory during the same period and the cost per rifle each year; what was the number of these rifles made at the London Small Arms Factory, Old Ford, during the same period, and what was the cost per rifle each year respectively; if the cost of establishment, depreciation of plant, and machinery are included in the cast of the rifle at Enfield; whether he is aware that wages at Enfield are admittedly higher than at any other small arms factory; and that a large amount of sub-contracting exists at the present time at the private firms resulting in the employment of a number of men by sub-contractors at low wages?
§ MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORTIf my hon. and gallant friend will allow me, I propose to give the statistics for which he asks in a general Return. This Return will, if the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham consents, include the Return which he has been promised, and the information which my hon. friend the Member for the Hertford Division of Hertfordshire is desirous of obtaining, if he also concurs. As regards the last part of the Question, I have no recent information as to the rate of wages paid by the trade, nor am I aware of any sub-contracting other than that which is customary in the trade.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODWhen is there a likelihood of the Return being published?
§ MR. BROMLEY DAVENPORTI believe in a very few days.