HC Deb 01 July 1907 vol 177 cc347-8
VISCOUNT TURNOUR (Sussex, Horsham)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty who are the members of Lord Rayleigh's Committee now considering questions arising out of defective cordite; and what is the estimated cost of the inquiry.

MR. HALDANE

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer the hon. Gentleman. The names are as follows: Lord Rayleigh, F.R.S., Sir J. Dewar, F.R.S., Sir A. Noble, Bart., F.R.S., Sir W. Crookes, F.R.S., J. A. Ewing, Esq., F.R.S., A. Dupre, Esq., F.R.S., absent through illness; Major General D. D. T. O'Callaghan, president, Ordnance Committee; Rear-Admiral R. F. O. Foote, vice president, Ordnance Committee; Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. L. Nathan, Superintendent, Royal Gunpowder Factory; Captain B. H. Chevallier, assistant to Director Naval Ordnance; Captain J. H. Thomson, H.M. Inspector of Explosives, Home Office; Major A. McN. C. Cooper-Key, H.M. Inspector of Explosives, Home Office; R. Robertson, Esq., Superintending Chemist, Research Department. Those not in the service of the Crown give their services gratuitously, and those who are in the service of the Crown are not paid extra for being on this Committee. There will therefore be no cost involved beyond a small amount for travelling expenses.

MR. BELLAIRS

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether this Admiralty Committee was the same as that appointed by the Home Office.

MR. HALDANE

said it had arisen out of that Committee, and the personnel was much the same.