§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether his statement that one-third of the total supply of cordite for the Army is purchased in Ireland is based upon official figures; whether he is aware that the proprietors of the cordite factory at Arklow, in Ireland, are discharging their Irish workpeople at present for want of orders, although a large quantity of cordite is now required for the Navy; and will he arrange for more orders being given to cordite factories in Ireland.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe statement about the supply of cordite purchased from the trades is, I believe, accurate. I am not aware that the factory at Arklow is discharging workpeople, but a considerable order for cordite will shortly be issued.