§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanarkshire, N.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War why should men be discharged and machinery standidle in the Arsenal while the work is being done by private contractors?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. E. STANHOPE, Lincolnshire, Horncastle)It is the policy of the War Office to give a share of its orders to the trade with the special object of having large sources of supply to rely upon in case of emergency. The Ordnance Factories have got through their share of work quicker than the trade.
§ In reply to a further question by Mr. GRAHAM,
§ MR. E. STANHOPE saidI admit that the work done by the Ordnance Factories yields more profit to the Government than work done in private establishments, but it is of advantage to obtain a supply, not only from our own factories, but from private firms.