§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork County, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Royal Gunpowder Mills, Ballincollig, which were purchased some years ago by an English company, Curtis and Harvey, were closed last year and all work suspended and the work transferred to England; can he state if it is the intention of the present owners to reopen the mills; and, if not, would the War Office authorities consider the advisability of opening up negotiations with Messrs. Curtis and Harvey, with a view of buying out their interest, and working the mills under Government supervision and direction.
§ *MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERNothing is known at the War Office of the purchase mentioned or of the intention of the alleged owners. It is not proposed that the War Department should purchase these mills.