§ 61. Mr. FFRENCHasked if it is intended that the War Loan of £350,000,000 will largely go in the purchase of manufactured articles made in England and Scotland, and that millions will go for boots, and that the Northampton boot factories will obtain a large share of these orders; if any of these contracts will be available for Irish clothiers and boot factories; and what is the total value of Army contracts given to Irish firms since the War commenced up to the present date?
Mr. BAKEROrders for boots will amount to some millions of pounds, and a large proportion of these orders will doubtless go to the Northampton district. With regard to the latter part of the question, certain Irish firms are already invited to tender for clothing and boots respectively, and if the hon. Member will supply me with the names of additional firms capable of undertaking such contracts, I shall be pleased to make inquiries with a view to adding them to the War Office list. Considerable quantities of food supplies, textiles, and other goods have been obtained from Irish sources since the beginning of the War; but the total value could not be given without extensive inquiry involving much time and labour.
§ Mr. WATTDoes the right hon. Gentleman's Department intend to apportion these contracts according to population?