§ MR. HIGHAM (Yorkshire, W.R., Sowerby)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, in view of the fact that the Enfield Factory made 83,590 rifles at a cost of £2 9s. 5d. each in 190–12, 60,757 at a cost of £2 11s. 6d. each in 1902–3, and 14,805 at a cost of £2 13s. 7d. each in 1903–4, will he state why orders for rifles should now be given to the trade while our own machinery is stat ding idle, as shown by the reduced production just stated; and will he give the number of rifles and the cost as produced in 1904–5 and 1905–6.
§ * MR. HALDANEThe grant of orders to the trade, while the Ordnance Factory machinery is not fully occupied, is part of a settled policy. This policy has been explained to the House on previous occasions, and I believe it to be a very valuable one. As regards the figures asked for in the Question, these were given fully in reply to a Question put yesterday by my hon. friend.