§ MR. BELLAIRS (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any orders for war material for the Army or Navy hitherto intended for the private establishments have been diverted to Woolwich in order to arrest discharges of men; and whether a large order for lyddite shell has recently been placed with Woolwich.
§ MR. HALDANEWith regard to most of the stores required by the Army and Navy no fixed proportion for dividing orders between the Ordnance Factories and the private trade has ever been laid down, and the allocation is determined year by year as appears best in accordance with the public interests. Where a definite proportion has been laid down in the past, it has not been departed from on the present occasion. The bulk of the orders for lyddite shell are allotted this year to the Ordnance Factories, but on some other descriptions of shell the greater share will almost certainly go to the private trade.
§ MR. BELLAIRSHave the Admiralty been asked to give to Woolwich orders intended for private firms?
§ Mr. HALDANEThere have been negotiations with the Admiralty with a view to getting as much work as possible for Woolwich.