§ Mr. ROSEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether His Majesty's explosive factory, Victoria Works, Wincham, Cheshire, has been disposed of; to whom and upon what terms; and by what amount the cost of erection and equipment exceeded the original estimate?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYAfter full advertisement, the major part of the property referred to has been sold to the Salt Union, Limited, the original owners, for £60,000, this being the highest offer received. The factory was erected for the production of calcium nitrate. There was a very acute shortage of this material, which was essential for explosives. Over 100,000 tons was produced at the works. Prior to their erection we were dependent on the limited supply obtainable from Norway, which only provided one-sixth of our requirements. The total expenditure was £534,000, of which £117,000 was spent on buildings. This expenditure was useful only for war purposes, and exceeded the original estimate by £154,000. The actual work done represented a great deal more than was included in the original estimate.