§ 20. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give any measure of the increased contracts placed in Ireland by the Admiralty since the War began, either by the extent of the increase, the additional hands employed, or the increased amount of money spent there?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)I do not doubt that there has been a considerable increase, but to give the exact figures asked for by my hon. Friend would involve an amount of labour which I fear could scarcely be undertaken at the present time. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will be interested to read an answer I gave the hon. Member for St. Stephen's Green on 4th May, a copy of which I am sending him.
§ 40. Mr. GINNELLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he can give any measure of the increased Army contracts placed in Ireland since the War began, either by the extent of the increase, the additional hands employed, or the increased amount of money spent there?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe total value of contracts recorded in the War Office as having been placed with Irish firms since the War began is about £2,110,000. This figure does not include the value of contracts placed locally, except for building works. On the basis of a calculation made in 1912, the annual value of the corresponding contracts placed with Irish firms before the War is estimated at about £134,000. There has, of course, been a very large increase in the value of the contracts placed locally for consumable supplies, etc., but I have no figures as to these. I regret that I have no information as to the additional number of hands employed in Ireland in connection with Army contracts since the War began.