§ 5. Mr. CROOKSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that contractors to the Admiralty for metal cases are busy on Admiralty orders while the workmen in the department responsible for such work in the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, are working only four days a 390 week; and whether he will arrange to place such orders in the nation's workshops as will enable the workmen in Government employment to earn a decent wage?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn every occasion when orders are placed the most careful consideration is given to all the circum stances of the case prior to the allocation of those orders as between the Ordnance factories and the outside trade. Beyond that I cannot go, except to say that, so far as I am aware, firms are by no means busy on metal case work; in fact, representations have been made to the Admiralty that they are unusually short of work at the present time.