§ MR. ASHLEY (Lancashire, Blackpool)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how much cordite containing mercuric chloride is now on board His Majesty's ships.
§ MR. McKENNASo far as is known, there is no such cordite on board His Majesty's ships; but this could not be ascertained definitely without a chemical analysis of all the lots of cordite now on board ship. No useful purpose could be served by such an investigation.
§ MR. ASHLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman say, if this cordite is not to be used on board His Majesty's ships, to what use is it to be put?
§ MR. McKENNASo far as I have ascertained, there is no such cordite at present on board His Majesty's ships. It certainly will not be used if it is not there.
§ MR. ASHLEYWhat do yon propose to do with the cordite on shore
§ MR. McKENNAI am not aware that there is any considerable quantity of such cordite on shore. I doubt if there is any, in fact.
§ MR. BELLAIRSWill the right hon. Gentleman settle the matter by telling us the quantity of cordite on shore with mercuric chloride in it? I understand there is a very large quantity.
§ MR. McKENNAI think the hon. Gentleman is mistaken on that point. I do not think there is any considerable quantity on shore; but I will inquire.
§ MR. BOWLES (Lambeth, Norwood)asked whether, so far as the cordite actually on hoard His Majesty's ships was concerned, samples of each lot had been tested and found not to contain mercuric chloride.
§ MR. McKENNAThat is so. So far as I have ascertained, there is no such cordite on board any ships at the present time. I may add, however, that if there is, there is not necessarily any danger.