§ 89. Mr. BYRNEasked the Minister of Munitions if he will state the value of orders for munitions given to Ireland since the outbreak of war and the amount spent on munitions in Great Britain; and if he will say when it is proposed to place further orders for munitions with Irish engineering firms?
§ Dr. ADDISONI regret that at the present time I do not feel at liberty to give my hon. Friend the information asked for in the first part of his question, but I may refer him to a letter addressed to the Member for Waterford on 26th June by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. This letter was published in the Irish Press, and I am sending a copy of it to the hon. Member. Various extensions of munition work are in hand in Ireland as in Great Britain.
§ Mr. FIELDIs it a fact that in Great Britain holidays are prevented owing to the pressure of munitions work, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Ireland the workers want employment in munition work?
§ Dr. ADDISONThere is no question of providing employment. It is a question of getting the work done where it can best be done.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of engineering firms in Dublin are closing down for want of orders?
§ Dr. ADDISONI was not aware of the fact, but I will inquire.