§ MR. BELLAIRSTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in respect of the sum of £17,000 per annum paid under Civil Service Estimates to local authorities in lieu of rates for the Government Ordnance Factories, it is to be understood that no proportionate charges are included in the quoted prices of war material manufactured by the Royal Ordnance Factories, whereas the private firms necessarily have to allow for their payments of the full rates levied by the local authorities.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The contribution to local rates for the Ordnance Factories amounts to £23,000, and these charges are included in the cost of articles manufactured in the factories.