§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for 431 War whether, having regard to the fact that the slates from the Killaloe Quarries have been approved of and largely made use of by the Board of Works for their buildings in Ireland, and with a view to the encouragement and support of Irish industries, he will take into consideration the claim of the Killaloe Slate Quarries Company to have their slates used for the contemplated improvement works at the Curragh Camp, provided that these slates are found to be of as good a quality as any others, and not higher in price?
MR. FIELDAt the same time, I will ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of Government to use Killaloe slates in the reconstruction of the Curragh Camp?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSo far as possible, for building work in Ireland Irish materials are used; but it is found that Welsh slates are lighter and more durable than Killaloe slates, and therefore cheaper in the end. Consequently the contracts for work at the Curragh, so far as entered into, have included Bangor slates. If, however, Killaloe slates can be supplied of equal quality with the Bangor slates, and not higher in price, there will be no objection to use them in any further contracts.