HC Deb 27 May 1908 vol 189 cc1088-9
MR. CARLILE (Hertfordshire, St. Albans)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the proportions of two-thirds of materials and stores supplied by private firms and one-third by the Royal Arsenal have been altered as a result of the reduced output at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, under the Estimates for 1908–9; and, if so, for what reasons.

MR. HALDANE

If, as I gather is the case, the hon. Member is referring to the figures regarding expenditure within the Ordnance Factories Vote which I gave him on Monday last, he appears to be under some misapprehension. The great bulk of the expenditure in question is for raw material, which is necessarily obtained from the trade. The orders for Army services allocated between the factories and the trade, are of course paid for from Army Votes. The figures from the Ordnance Factory Vote which I gave last Monday are entirely distinct.

MR. JAMES HOPE (Sheffield, Central)

Does the right hon. Gentleman adhere to the former proportions—two-thirds to private firms, and one-third to Government workshops?

MR. HALDANE

We have not materially varied them.

MR. CARLILE

But have they not been modified as a result of the reduction of work at the Arsenal?

MR. HALDANE

I do not think so.