§ 28. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what is the anticipated saving annually consequent on the closing of the Pimlico clothing factory and the placing of orders for clothing to private contract?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)The saving to be effected by the placing of orders for clothing out to contract is estimated to be about £25,000 a year.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the hon. Gentleman try to persuade other Departments to follow the same policy wherever possible?
§ Mr. COOPERIt is not my duty to advise other Departments.
§ 29. Mr. McENTEEasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it 643 is proposed to close down the Royal Army Clothing Factory, Pimlico; and, if so, for what reason?
§ 31. Mr. HICKSasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will make a statement as to the proposal to close the Royal Army Clothing Factory, Pimlico, and the number of persons who will lose employment should the factory be closed; and whether he will arrange that the clothing of His Majesty's Army shall continue to be made in State workshops and not by private contractors?
§ Mr. COOPERI would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne). The decision to close down the factory will ultimately involve the discharge of approximately 590 employés. This number excludes all full dress workers.
§ Mr. HICKSDoes the hon. Gentleman expect to get these goods cheaper as a result of placing the orders out to private contract?
§ Mr. COOPERYes, Sir, I have just said so.
§ Mr. McENTEEWill the hon. Gentleman answer the second part of Question 29?
§ Mr. COOPERTo effect economies.