§ Mr. HUNTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is now in the country an ample supply of cordite for both the Navy and Army in case of sudden emergency or war, without counting the amount returned to the manufacturers as unsafe to use because it failed to pass the heat test?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. McKenna)The reply is in the affirmative so far as the Navy is concerned. As regards the Army, I would suggest that the hon. Gentleman should address the question to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War.
§ Mr. HUNTAre we to understand that there is no truth in the statement in the Press by Mr. Arthur Chamberlain that the only magazines in the country which are full are the magazines of the people who had cordite returned, and that, if the country were in danger, that the Government would have to pick up any cordite it could get?
§ Mr. McKENNAI am not aware that such a statement has been made, but if it has been, it is devoid of all truth.
§ Mr. HUNTasked what is the amount of cordite which has been returned as unsafe to use because it had failed to pass the heat test?
§ Mr. McKENNAAny cordite that has been returned to the makers has not been returned as unsafe but as not fully complying with the Government specifications.
§ Captain JESSELasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty had been accepting cordite below the standard test, and, if so, whether he could state the reason; and whether the reserves of cordite in the magazines are now equal to the amount usually so kept?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative as regards private firms; a small amount from the Government Waltham Abbey factory has failed to pass the test and is being used up for proof and experimental work on shore. Until the amount now due on contracts, most of which is ready for delivery, is passed into store, the stocks will be not more than 1 per cent, less than the amount usually kept.
§ Captain JESSELHas the right hon. Gentleman read the account of the annual general meeting of Kynoch's at Birmingham on that question?
§ Mr. McKENNANo, Sir, I regret that I have not.
§ Captain JESSELI beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman if he will?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot undertake to, read it.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked what proportion of cordite has failed to pass the heat test during the last twelve months for the Navy; and whether all cordite which has failed to pass the heat test has been returned to the makers?
§ Mr. McKENNAIt is not in the public interest to give this information.
§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked whether any cordite has ever been conditionally accepted for naval purposes?
§ Mr. McKENNAA certain quantity of cordite that has recently failed to reach the full heat test is undergoing a confirmatory test which will take about eight months. Provisional payment on this cordite is being made to the firms, the latter guaranteeing to refund payment or replace the cordite if it fails to pass this test and is consequently rejected.
§ Lord C. BERESFORDWhere are these tests being carried out?
§ Mr. McKENNAI could not tell the Noble Lord without reference to all the bases where these particular tests are made.