§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEY (Paddington, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the magnitude of the national undertaking at Woolwich with its site stretching two miles on the Thames, and of the fictitious prosperity and deep distress which are alternately created by the Imperial authorities in Woolwich and neighbourhood, he will give consideration to the advisability of making arrangements with other Departments of State to use the fine engineering plant regularly for other work, such as the construction of locomotives, wagons and bridges for the State railways in India and the Crown Colonies, work which could be temporarily suspended in time of war.
§ MR. HALDANENO, sir, I do not consider it desirable that the ordnance factories should undertake such work. Railway locomotive building could not be done with the present plant and staff in the ordnance factories. It is very different from any work now done there. Bridge building requires machinery for preparing steel plates not at present existing in these factories, the only similar work done being boiler repairs, and the men employed on these repairs are few.
§ MR. CHIOZZA MONEYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of making the very small investment required to instal the necessary plant?
§ MR. CROOKS (Woolwich)Has the staff now reached its minimum strength?
§ MR. HALDANEI must ask for notice of that Question.