23. Colonel CRAIGasked the Secretary of State for War, in reference to his appointment of a Special Commissioner to investigate whether the War Office would be justified in establishing receiving depots in Ireland in connection with tenders for military supplies, whether he will bear in mind that the vast bulk of such tenders come from Ulster, and that consequently Belfast has a stronger claim to be considered for the establishment of a receiving depot than any other centre?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe instructions given to the hon. Member for the Loughborough Division of Leicestershire were to inquire into and report on the facilities in Ireland for contractors who desired to tender for War Office contracts, and also to inquire into and report on the resources of the whole of Ireland, with a view to seeing what further supplies to meet War Office requirements could be obtained from that country. My right hon. Friend will bear in mind every representation made to him in considering the question of the establishment of a receiving depot in Ireland.