§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what percentage of the new short rifles are being made at Enfield and Birmingham, respectively; will he quote the contract price for the manufacture of the rifle at Birmingham and the cost of manufacture 19 at Enfield, inclusive of cost of material, workmanship, general charges, and allowances for inspection; and will he state what percentage for depreciation of tools is allowed in this estimate of cost.
§ MR. HALDANEIt is assumed that a comparison is required between the rifles made at Enfield and those made by the trade including the London Small Arms Company and Sparkbrook. This year short rifles will be made in the proportion of about two at Enfield to three in the Trade Factories. The latest ascertained price for the Ordnance Factories is £3 18s. 5d. per rifle in 1904–05, and the estimated price for 1905–06 is £3 15s. 8d. No charge for inspection is included in these prices, but 10 per cent, of the value of machinery is included to cover depreciation. Tools are charged against the cost as usual. It is not considered desirable to state the present price of the trade rifles, but it is not anticipated that there will be any material difference this year between Ordnance Factory and trade prices.
§ SIR FRANCIS LOWE (Birmingham, Edgbaston)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the placing of this order for new rifles at the Sparkbrook Factory will enable the workmen who have lately been discharged from the Government factories to be kept on by the new Company.
§ MR. HALDANEWe have given the orders on as handsome a scale as we could for that very purpose. If the hon. Member desires further information perhaps he will put down another Question.