HC Deb 27 June 1907 vol 177 c91
Mr. BELLAIRS

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what was the date of the first sitting of Lord Rayleigh's Cordite Committee; and what proportion of the estimated £200,000 to be spent this year on refrigerating machinery for the magazines is for the ships already built, which have been officially stated to number fifty-one battleships, twenty-eight armoured cruisers, and seventy-six un-armoured cruisers.

MR. LAMBERT

The date asked for was 4th April, 1907. Of the total of £200,000, £165,700 is the estimated sum required for ships already built.

MR. BELLAIRS

Can the hon. Member tell the House what was the first date on which the Admiralty received information that Kynochs were adding mercuric chloride.?

MR. LAMBERT

I am afraid that I cannot bear the date in mind.

MR. BELLAIRS

Is the hon. Member aware that the discovery was made in December, and this Committee was only -appointed in April?

MR. LAMBERT

If the hon. Member knows that, why does he ask me for the information?