25. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Secretary of State for War and Air what was the cost incurred in 1913–14 in connection with the inspection of armament; what is the estimated expenditure under this head under the control of his 1869 department for 1920–21; and what increase would be necessary if the work of inspection now carried out by the Ministry of Munitions, and for which a sum of £950,000 is provided for 1920–21, were discontinued, assuming that similar arrangements were made for dealing with the work to those which obtained before the war?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe cost incurred in 1913–14 in connection with the inspection of guns, carriages, ammunition, small arms and cognate stores was £156,300. No sum has been provided for this service in Army Estimates for 1920–21 as the inspection has not yet been transferred to the War Office. I am afraid I cannot answer the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question until the future organisation under the War Office is settled.
Sir F. HALLIs it not a fact that in the ordinary course of events it would cost considerably less if this inspection were handed over, as it should be, to the War Office?