§ Mr. DONOVAN by Private Noticeasked the Minister for Munitions of War whether it is a fact that the Ministry of Munitions has ordered the reduction of production and the immediate dismissal of hundreds of the workers employed in Kynoch's Factory, Arklow, as a preliminary to the closing down of the works altogether in the shortest possible time; whether he is aware that such action will entail the disemployment of over 3,000 workers, causing grave distress amongst these workers and their families and dependants, and bring ruin to the town of Arklow; whether he is aware that the quality of the explosives turned out by Kynoch's Factory, Arklow, is, in the opinion of the Government's own experts, practically the best produced, being superior to that of any other cordite factory in Great Britain; whether in contrast with Great Britain, Ireland is only receiving an insignificant amount of war work; whether he is aware that the present step of the Ministry of Munitions in closing down this factory, which was started so far back as 1895, is taken in 472 defiance of a specific undertaking given by the Minister for Munitions that this factory would not be injuriously affected by changes based on war reconstruction or otherwise; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, and of the fact that an outburst of indignation has been provoked all over Ireland by the present action of the Ministry of Munitions, he will take steps to withdraw forthwith the orders issued for the reduction of production and the dismissal of workmen at Kynoch's, and permit that concern to continue its work as hitherto?
§ Sir W. EVANSMy right hon. Friend is well aware that any reduction of output in Kynoch's Arklow Factory must cause some displacement of labour, and the steps he is taking will, he hopes, mitigate the hardships so far as possible. The reduction is necessary, but will be made gradually. My hon. Friend is wrong in making a contrast with other factories in Great Britain, for some factories are being closed entirely and the output of others is being largely reduced. If it were not for my right hon. Friend's desire to meet the representations made by the hon. and learned Member for Waterford, the Arklow Factory, having regard to the stocks in hand, would be closed on account of the extra cost of the supplies and for reasons of tonnage, but, in order to meet the hardships attendant upon a sudden closing the reduction in output will be gradual, and I hope that when the facts are known it will be recognised that in the steps taken every consideration has been given to Irish interests.