§ 64. Sir KINLOCH-COOKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether Great Britain, France, and Belgium are making arrangements for the erection of movable houses, churches, and schools to re-house temporarily the population of Belgium; whether these contracts will be placed with America and will necessitate an expenditure of several millions of dollars; and whether, in view of the slackness anticipated amongst carpenters and joiners during the coming winter months, he will consider the advisability of placing some of these contracts in this country and the remainder in Canada?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Belgian Government have, I believe, had a scheme for movable buildings under consideration, but have as yet come to no decision on the point. Neither His Majesty's Government, nor, so far as I know, the French Government, have contemplated any arrangements of the kind. I have no doubt that, if the Belgian Government decide to invite tenders for such buildings, they will give an opportunity to British industry to compete in the ordinary way.