§ 58. Mr. CHADWICKasked the Prime Minister whether the Government, in placing orders on Home, Colonial, or 1891 Indian account, will have regard to the special hardships under which towns such as Barrow-in-Furness, which were engaged almost exclusively in the manufacture of material for the War, are now suffering; and will he ensure that so far as possible some clear priority in the allocation of such orders be made promptly to enable the workers in those places to weather the coming winter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government have devoted a good deal of attention to the case of industrial centres which have been engaged in the production of war material where dislocation and suffering have been caused by the termination of war contracts. Much has already been done to mitigate the evils which inevitably arise owing to the change from war to peace conditions, and, in consequence, there has been little actual distress, and the conditions compare very favourably with those which ensued after previous great wars in which the country has been engaged.
§ Mr. CHADWICKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the locality in question approximately 10 per cent, of the adult working population are out of employment to-day; and will he, considering that, give a reply to the second part of the question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall certainly bear in mind the statement of my hon. Friend.