§ Mr. NEWMANasked the Secretary for War whether he will now state whether the Birmingham Small Arms Factory were called on to submit a tender for the supply of 50,000 rifles; and, in the event of the answer being in the negative, why the Royal Small Arms Factory were passed over?
§ Mr. H. BAKERThe reply is in the affirmative. The requirements of the Royal Small Arms Factory were fully considered, and sufficient work allotted to keep the present staff fully employed.