HC Deb 14 December 1911 vol 32 c2536
Mr. ARTHUR HENDERSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War what amount of iron and steel castings were obtained from private contractors for Woolwich Arsenal during the six months ending 30th June, 1911, and also for the corresponding periods for 1909 and 1910; whether such castings could have been made in the foundries of the Department; and, if so, will he state the reasons that induced the Department to give the work to the private contractors?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)

The figures for iron and steel castings obtained from private contractors and for those produced in the Arsenal were as follows:—

Trade. Ordnance Factories.
1909 101 tons … 2,425 tons
1910 294 tons … 2,314 tons
1911 168 tons … 2,072 tons
The foundries of the Royal Arsenal were fully occupied during the periods in question, and the castings given to the trade could not have been made in them.

Mr. STUART-WORTLEY

Arising out of that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his Department did not promise to give a larger proportion of these orders than that to private contractors?

Colonel SEELY

I must ask for notice of questions as to promises given.