HC Deb 19 June 1941 vol 372 c822
65. Dr. Little

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has had the promised further samples of iron ore taken from the mine in County Down; whether these samples have been tested; and with what result?

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

I am sorry that I am not yet in a position to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 8th May. Recent reports from Northern Ireland are that conditions are still unsuitable for sampling.

Dr. Little

Was not a promise made that once the earth dried up this matter would be attended to, and is my hon. Friend aware that they have found dry ground now and that everything is ready; and will he promise that this will be attended to at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Macmillan

We are in close touch with the Ministry of Commerce in Northern Ireland, and they are advising us of the right moment at which to lake these samples.