§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked whether during the last three years it has been found necessary to withdraw from manufacturers of explosives the Home Office supply of litmus paper issued for use in testing cordite by the heat process? The words "litmus paper" should be "heat test paper."
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI will answer the question on the Paper. No litmus paper is or has been supplied by the Home Office for testing cordite; but heat test papers for use in connection with the heat test of explosives of Classes III. and IV. (which include cordite) are supplied by the chemical advisers of the Explosives Department to any manufacturers of explosives who apply for them. Last year it was found that there was deterioration in the stock of filter paper held by the chemical advisers from which heat test papers were made, and it was considered desirable that the filter paper should be obtained from another source. A circular was issued to manufacturers acquainting them with this fact and stating that for the present filter paper would be obtained from the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey. No heat test papers have been withdrawn during the last three years, but in the case of one firm a batch of papers was, at their request, exchanged for new ones.