§ 55. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of factorial not previously manufacturing munitions of war which have been or are in process of being converted to that use in Great Britain and in Ireland, respectively, with a comparison of the cost of adaptation in the two countries; whether offers have been made on either side with reference to similar adaptation of any of the factories in Ireland thrown idle in consequence of the War; and whether the desire to recruit among the unemployed was the reason for leaving the workers unemployed by not taking over the factories?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe information asked for in the first two parts of the hon. Member's question is not readily available, and I regret that in the present pressure of work the time cannot be spared for its compilation. I may observe that in the case of Ireland a Belfast committee has been in communication with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Munitions. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. GINNELLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that since the commencement of the War certain factories in Ireland have had to close down, on account of their men having gone to the Continent?
§ Mr. FORSTERI am not aware of that.