§ MR. WHITLEYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury what was the date on which the Cabinet decided to suspend the decision of the Army Council to reduce the establishment at Sparkbrook Small Arms Factory.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe question of the Sparkbrook Small Arms Factory as such never came before the Cabinet at all, nor was the Cabinet concerned with the case of particular Government 330 factories. What did come before the Cabinet were certain general questions raised by the factories in the Metropolitan areas, and questions arising out of them. I think it was in reference to that general decision of the Cabinet that the letter to which the hon. Gentleman refers was written and published.
§ MR. WHITLEYWhen was this larger question decided by the Cabinet?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI think it was early in February, the first Cabinet we had after the recess. But I cannot be absolutely certain.