§ MR. EVELYN CECIL (Aston Manor)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that tenders for a quantity of .303 cordite cartridges were sent in by the contractors so far back as 18th April, and that no replies to those tenders have been received, and that in consequence of this delay thousands of workpeople have been thrown out of employment, he can hasten the placing of these orders.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Brodrick.) The quantity required is very small in comparison with the orders given during the war, and in any case I feel a large discharge of workmen by contractors is unavoidable. The allotment will be made at once.