HC Deb 11 February 1913 vol 48 cc686-7
19. Mr. TOUCHE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any War Office contracts have been given out in respect of other works besides those at Tidworth and Bulford in which German cable has been used; and, if so, where it has been used?

Mr. BAKER

The reply is in the negative.

20. Mr. TOUCHE

asked whether the inspectors representing the War Office are present throughout the manufacture at Eschweiler, Germany, of the cable for the Army camps at Tidworth and Bulford, or do they merely inspect and test the completed cable; and is the former practice followed in respect of cable manufactured for War Office use in this country?

Mr. BAKER

The inspectors representing the War Office test the cable during course of manufacture in Germany and again when completed. The same practice is adopted in respect of cable manufactured in this country.

26. Mr. TOUCHE

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there was any clause in the specifications for the work at Tidworth and Bulford camps in which the German armorduct cable is employed requiring the use of pure Para rubber only and excluding the use of re-manufactured rubber?

Mr. BAKER

There was no such clause, but it was specified that the layer next to the conductor was to be of pure rubber, and the other two of vulcanised rubber. The quality of the whole was covered by a mechanical test.