HL Deb 31 July 1940 vol 117 cc41-57

LORD BARNBY rose to ask His Majesty's Government how far plans for war production in this country have been modified by a policy of increased war production in the Dominion of Canada; and to move for Papers. The noble Lord said: My Lords, the words of the Motion standing in my name might give the im- pression that it has already been covered by two replies made by Ministers in the last two weeks with regard to purchasing in the United States and Canada. That is by no means the case, and, if I may have the indulgence of your Lordships' House, I will attempt to explain why I say that. I should like first of all to admit that the two statements which were made, by Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Woolton respectively, certainly covered the ground raised by the previous Motion in my name and by the subsequent Motion in the name of Lord Addison. It is my desire to acknowledge to the full the ground that was covered by those replies. That is really disposed of, and it merely remains to make sure that deliveries result from the great orders which have been placed so liberally, in accordance with the amount stated roughly since the beginning of June in Canada and in the United States of America. Deliveries are more important than the placing of orders. The Committee under Sir Arthur Salter, which has the aim of achieving coordination at this end and ensuring the proper passing forward of orders to the Munitions Board in the case of Canada and the Purchasing Board in the case of the United States, gives promise, under Sir Arthur's energetic and efficient leadership, of achieving the desired results.

The present Motion is much wider in its scope. I made reference to its terms in the debate in your Lordships' House on July II last, and since then I have had the opportunity of discussing the matter with my noble friend the Leader of the House and with others. He listened sympathetically to the points which I made, and I am satisfied that he is fully aware of what I wish to raise now and of its complete separation from the other points which were dealt with earlier. I have also had the privilege of a conversation with Mr. Arthur Greenwood and Sir Arthur Salter, and I appreciate their readiness to admit that this matter is one which justifies review. Since then I have had the opportunity of a talk with Mr. Herbert Morrison, the Minister of Supply, and he is fully alive to the fact that the scope of this Motion is much wider than anything which could be dealt with by the Ministry of Supply in particular or by the Admiralty or by the Ministry for Aircraft Production; indeed, it raises a matter of Cabinet policy, and is therefore necessarily above the activities of any one particular Department. With your Lordships' permission, therefore, I shall endeavour to outline briefly what precisely it is that I now raise.

I must admit that to some extent since I put this Motion down on the Paper it has been answered by the speeches which we read in The Times to-day and which were made in the House of Commons at Ottawa by Colonel Ralston, Major Power and Mr. Howe. I had in relatively recent weeks the opportunity of discussing this question with all three of them, and I know exactly what their reaction was to the general theme. In addition, I have had the assurance of Mr. Morrison that the industrial capacity of both this country and Canada is required to the full; and therefore, under present conditions, the point which I now raise is directed more to the future. It is that in recent months it has been decided that the industrial production to meet the requirements of the Fighting Forces calls for the establishment of several new factories, factories which might be of a character which involve production new to this country—and there are some of that kind—or merely units to supplement factories already established and operating in this country.

I would draw your Lordships' attention to the curious change which has taken place in the situation. Until a year ago, it was the industrial policy of this country that, as and when extension of factories was planned, they should as far as possible be put in the western part of Great Britain. That involved all kinds of problems of a social character, such as that of housing accommodation, as well as many others which your Lordships will readily appreciate. It also involved power requirements of a character which meant that demands were appreciably increased in areas which were understood to have been hitherto relatively sparsely provided for, or at least the demand in the past had been relatively moderate compared with the demand for the east and south centre of England. That meant the consideration of a whole host of problems in connection with the establishment of these new factories. The decision to establish them made all sorts of new demands, which might have been modified, or at least avoided, by the location of the factories in other parts of Great Britain.

During that period, industrial employment in Canada was much below capacity, and it would be admitted now that the former policy of deliberately choosing sites in the extreme western part of the country would not have been decided on had we then had the knowledge which we have now. That brings me to the point that I wish emphatically to make, that instead, of anchoring this large amount of capital to the soil of England it might have been anchored to the soil of Canada, where it would still be under the British flag. I advance that theory on the assumption of full co-operation by the Dominion Government, and in so far as I have been able to discuss that with members of the Government in Ottawa or with Mr. Massey in London, there is reason to suppose that it would be looked upon favourably by the Dominion Government, and they would give facilities to make this co-operation possible, involving many financial considerations which I know were very present in the early part of the war—they have assumed a different aspect now—and also questions of personnel.

This raises the question of immigration into Canada. We know that industrial plants in Canada have been unemployed or subnormally employed. There was also the opportunity of drawing from south of the line. But if Canadian facilities were developed on the scale that I envisage that would involve an appreciable inflow of working population into Canada. I will return to that in a few minutes. I would here interpose that I realise that danger from destruction from the air must be regarded as a possibility involving greater apprehension than anxiety about shipping communications on the North Atlantic lane. While it is right that we should assume that, owing to our capacity for defence, attack from the air will not result in the devastation which some people think, at least one must admit that the Government policy, as evidenced by the preparations that have been made, envisages that as a possibility. That has to be set against the danger of not being able to keep open the lane of communication with Canada.

It therefore becomes a delicate balance of uncertainty between the danger of destruction from the air if the plants are here and the risk of interference with sea transport to Canada and the difficulties of tonnage. But while great destruction from the air would not in any way diminish the determination to carry on here for an indefinite time, the closing of the lane between the North American Continent and this country would at least compel a review of the whole position. Therefore it seems that the latter danger is the smaller risk of the two. I realise that this may well involve questions of Imperial economy and Imperial strategy, and it may well be that the reply which my noble friend will be able to give will be definitely reserved, and he will properly take advantage of the disinclination to say anything which might be embarrassing. I am also conscious of the fact that one is not justified in raising these debates in these days unless they have a definite purpose, because they involve much time in the Government Departments concerned in examining the sort of answer that can be made.

On the question of immigration into Canada, to which I referred just now, naturally no one is more sympathetic with that than the noble Viscount who is to reply. The office which he holds has brought him into familiar contact with the problems, through his presidency of the Overseas Settlement Board. I merely throw out the thought that it might appeal either to the United Kingdom Government or the Canadian Government that technicians at least should be drawn from the Allied Forces in this country of various rationalities, and they would cost the United Kingdom Government less if set to work on munitions in Canada than if maintained here as members of fighting units. I do not need to remind your Lordships that when discussing the expansion of industry in Canada we should remember that the present population of Canada, 11,000,000, is insufficient for the existing railway plant and many other services in Canada. Based upon an optimistic view of expansion, these have far outrun the current requirements of the existing population. Therefore to whatever extent this country should assist the development of industry in Canada, as a part of the assets of the Empire, we should be helping ourselves as well as them.

I know it will be suggested that there is already invested in the industrial development of Canada a very large amount of American capital, and that the effect of the proposal that I make would bring in more American capital. Well, Canada is Canada, and the evidence of patriotism that we have had since the beginning of the war relieves any anxiety as to the character of the capital which provides employment for the population of Canada. It is regrettable that so relatively large a part of Canada's industry has been financed from the United States, and I can make this comment here from practical experience in industry, that there has been a discouragement of investment in Canada on the part of the banking community of this country. To industrialists they replied, "Well, you had better not risk putting your capital in Canada; they are small men with small minds, occupying big positions" Many of those gentlemen, though at the head of big financial institutions, have never been to the United States or Canada, incredible as it may seem, and they are without the vision that should have inspired them as the custodians of the capital of this country.

I was interested to read the other day that 65 per cent, of the total coal deposits of the world are in the Dominion of Canada, and yet Canada imports 25 per cent, of her coal requirements. I recognise the geographical distribution of these deposits, yet it is an interesting thing when we consider that Canada should have a larger population than it now has. The question of new factories there raises the manner of aircraft production. I referred to that on July 11. Since then I have had conversations in various directions and have not got any satisfactory explanation as to why the establishment of factories, even though by American capital, to produce American prototypes in Canada, from October onwards, was rejected; but that is now past. On the aircraft side to-day I am satisfied that, in the hands of Lord Beaverbrook, the interests of Canada will not be overlooked, but will be happily married to the interests of this country.

Let us take the iron ore imports into this country. It has been a matter of surprise why so little use was made until recently of the valuable deposits in New-foundland. Surely they could have been married to the coal deposits in Nova Scotia and used for the advancement of manufacture? Again, there are considerations of which I am not in a position to know the facts, but one hears talk of aluminium production here which involves the use of 7½ tons of bauxite to produce one ton of aluminium. Why that should be produced in this country instead of in Canada is a matter of surprise. I know much has been done in Canada—for instance, some 42 per cent, of the nickel production is already owned by the United States. That raises the question as to the position of the deposits in New Caledonia and the use that is going to be made of them for Empire requirements.

I cannot pass over the question of Canada's war effort because I have heard on many sides criticism of that war effort. There is no point in recrimination or in reviewing the past except, as the Prime Minister said, with the object of fortifying us in our determination for the future. Comparisons are odious in so far as they are made with other parts of the Empire, but it is certain that had the United Kingdom followed the policy of making a greater call, at an earlier date, on Canada's productive capacity, it would have been answered and it would have inspired the Canadian people and impelled the Canadian Government to make efforts on their own part much greater than they did instead of being lulled into an appearance of inaction by the meagre demands which this country made upon them. At the present moment the presence here of Mr. Charles Banks, representing the Canadian Munitions Board, ensures that these problems will be properly surveyed, and I know that with Mr. J. P. Bickell here assisting Lord Beaverbrook, these factors will be continually put forward. I expect that the infusing of the vigorous methods practised in Canada into our governmental machine will produce some electrifying effects even on the Civil Service, to which Lord Strabolgi addressed, and rightly addressed, a considerable homily recently in your Lordships' House.

I have had occasion to talk this over with my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade. I realise that, very properly, he has misgivings as to what this may suggest in the ultimate impact upon exports from this country. It is very right that that should be raised, but let us keep in mind the main view. The main view is to win the war, regardless of what the sacrifice may be. While in order to secure, we will say, Canada's war effort, there may be a call for the establishment of branch factories in Canada, which would diminish the likelihood of exports from this country, that may be envisaged as an inconvenience arising from the war. It is no more a menace to industry in this country than the restrictions which His Majesty's Government have, quite rightly, seen fit to impose on domestic trade, with their disastrous reaction on the retail trade of the country. That in itself is disquieting enough, because it must "damp back" right down the line of domestic production here. Where the security of Canada, for instance, is concerned—and I have discussed this very intimately with Mr. Charles Banks—he agrees that the sacrifices that may appear to be made by the United Kingdom in agreeing to such a policy are inescapable at the present moment. I advance this thought to your Lordships. As the result of the last war and subsequent events, an immense stimulus was given to Australia in all kinds of industrial production. The curious thing is that it has not diminished the imports into Australia from this country; it has merely changed their character. I admit that the economy of Australia is somewhat different from that of Canada, because of the proximity of Canada to the United States.

I pass to another point which I wish to emphasize. If that theory be a correct one, that we have to attach more importance, or dominant importance, to keeping open the North American channel, then that involves all sorts of problems of a maritime character, including the naval factor. That must mean that if Canada is in the position of our second line of industrial defence, it involves that the marine power of the United Kingdom and its Mercantile Marine require some additional bases on the Atlantic seaboard. They must be on the Nova Scotian coast because in winter, from St. John's, Newfoundland, to the American border is the only part they can turn to. I am informed by those in the Mercantile Marine who are qualified to speak that up till now very little has been done in expanding the facilities of any port on the Atlantic seaboard. There are many ports suitable for development. Halifax, in the case of ship repairing, has not been developed. In the case of Newfoundland, practically no money has been spent on St. John's harbour, and that might be of very great assistance if it were utilised for different purposes. I suggest that the evidence of our planning to make more use of our ports in the North American Continent must have a considerable effect on sentiment and outlook, which are drifting so happily in the right direction south of the line. The shipbuilding effort, great as it is already in Canada, is an additional evidence of this. It all leads towards the conviction that it is the English-speaking peoples who have the mission of concluding this matter, and therefore, whatever may be the requirements, the decision to use more fully Canada's possibilities strengthens the force of that view.

It means that a long war—and that is what we are told we have to provide for—justifies the review at once of this question, and it must be, as I have said, a Cabinet question. I might take up some of your Lordships' time in trying to present a vigorous picture of the possibilities of Canada, but I feel that that is unnecessary at this moment. I am encouraged in that view because I feel there is a growing realisation everywhere of what the Empire does mean, and what its effort amounts to as a contribution and an addition to our national effort. I put this thought forward to my noble friend the Leader of the House, that there might be an advantage in still further action to make the public in this country Empire-minded, and enable people here to realise to the full how great is the value of the support we are getting and going to get from Canada.

I conclude with this happy reflection, that in raising a matter in your Lordships' House so vitally affecting Canada it is natural that the reply should come from the noble Viscount the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, who is in most intimate touch with this question. I have had the good fortune to become familiar with his keen sympathy in all matters of this character, and I anticipate a considerate reply from him to what I have said. I would repeat that in raising the matter at this moment I am fully conscious that it is one which has to be dealt with with some reserve. Nevertheless I feel it is one that should be in the minds of those in responsible quarters—namely, the Committee of Production and those responsible for our Imperial financial policy and strategy. No angle which has any bearing on it should be overlooked in the present war effort. I beg to move for Papers.

4.34 p.m.

VISCOUNT CALDECOTE

My Lords, you will be aware that my noble friend Lord Woolton has been good enough to undertake as a rule the responsibility of replying when questions affecting the Ministry of Supply are raised in your Lordships' House. My noble friend is unable to be here to-day owing to an already once-postponed meeting of Ministers which he is now attending. As my noble friend Lord Barnby has suggested, it is not inappropriate that the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs should be allowed to say some words upon this Motion inasmuch as the resources of the Dominion of Canada are so closely in question. A fortnight ago my noble friend Lord Woolton made statements which I think I am right in saying reassured opinion in all parts of your Lordships' House. He dealt with a number of detail questions such as the supply organisation in North America, the responsibility of our representatives for settling prices, the stability of design and other detailed matters, but more particularly and most important of all was what he said in relation to the volume of orders which are now being placed in America.

The answer which he was able to give was that orders are now being placed to full capacity in the United States of America and Canada; and I repeat that the very fullest use is now being made of every possible capacity that there is in Canada, whether it is existing capacity or capacity that must be created, that can come into production before January, 1942. A very large part of these orders is for specialised munitions requirements; the orders involve a capital outlay of an enormous volume upon new plant and premises, or upon adaptation of plant or machinery. Reference was made in that debate, I think by my noble friend Lord Barnby, to what Lord Beaverbrook had said in the debate on July 11, that there was no limit except the sky to the volume of orders which he was placing, and a question was asked as to whether the same was in substance true of other forms of munition. The answer is that, although the graphic phrase used by my noble friend would not be applicable, in substance the position is precisely the same. It is true that at one time perhaps until recently the duty of husbanding our financial resources imposed upon the Ministry possibly rather more prudence than vision, but that time has now passed. Your Lordships accepted with relief the declaration that any hesitation on the ground of expense is now at an end. At the same time I think it is right to remind your Lordships that this forward policy adds enormously to the heavy burden that is bound to be placed upon our gold and foreign exchange resources.

However, I do not propose to go over the ground which was covered in the debate on July 18. My noble friends rather invited me to discuss some detailed matters, such as the production of aluminium and bauxite. I am glad to say there is no scarcity of bauxite. I do not propose to go into the details which my noble friend quite properly has mentioned in his speech but to try and answer the questions raised by my noble friend in his Motion. He asked how far plans for war production in this country have been modified by a policy of increased war production in the Dominion of Canada. My noble friend would be dismayed if I were to reply to him that in consequence of increased war production in the Dominion of Canada the rate of production at home is slackening, but the fact is that we want a policy of production not by way of substitution of what is being done in this country but by way of addition to what is already being done.

My noble friend referred to the policy undoubtedly followed in general of placing our new establishments in the western counties of the United Kingdom. He rather suggested that if Canada's case had been more considered we should not have adopted that policy. I doubt whether that is sound. I think prudence would in any case have suggested that we should place our facilities away from the east coast. I do not think anybody can be unaware of the danger from the air which every establishment in this country has to face. The duty and the care of my noble friend Lord Beaverbrook and of my right honourable friend Mr. Morrison are to see that adequate defences are provided against those risks. I am happy to say that the measures which are required by Statute in some cases are now substantially completed and, although an addition will be made to the active defence of munitions production, my noble friend need be under no doubt at all that the importance of both passive and active defence is well recognised.

My noble friend's contention is that because we are developing our sources of supply in Canada, we should hasten the process by transferring men, machines and material across the Atlantic, instead of using those resources to the best advantage in this country. I cannot believe that that would be a policy which your Lordships would approve. Canada can certainly provide an offset to any losses that may be incurred by the destruction of our resources. It is by way of insurance, to look at it from one point of view, that Canada's supply is particularly valuable. It is not only in Canada that we are looking for additions to our own capacity. The expansion of our resources east of Suez has, for some time, been proceeding and just about this time a conference is about to take place between representatives of the three Dominions—South Africa, Australia and New Zealand—and of the Colonial Governments in that part of the world, to survey the existing arrangements, partly for the very reason to which my noble friend called attention, that it is desirable that we should develop as many sources of supply as possible by way of insurance against, or of an offset to, the losses that may possibly be suffered as a result of enemy air action.

It is important, as I say, not to think that provision of the kind I have described is a substitute for what is being done in this country. The enormous output which is now taking place under the direction of my noble friend Lord Beaverbrook, and of the Minister of Supply and the First Lord of the Admiralty, has heartened everybody's spirit. I can imagine, however, nothing more encouraging to the enemy than to know that our hearts had become so faint that we had relaxed our efforts in this country and transferred them across the Atlantic; nor, on the other hand, can I imagine anything more discouraging to the enemy than to know that from these secure countries a steady and increasing flow of supplies of all sorts—aircraft, guns, munitions—is coming to this country and that they cannot stop it or divert it, that their Sisyphean labours in attempting to stop it may exhaust themselves but cannot exhaust or even imperil our resources as long as we retain command of the seas.

The plain and short answer to my noble friend is that His Majesty's Government have every intention of availing themselves of all that Canada can provide and at the same time of using to the utmost the resources of this country. The task of harnessing some of Canada's resources is enormous. It is a task which Mr. Howe, the Canadian Minister of Munitions and Supply, has willingly accepted, and I may say that if Mr. Howe thinks that at present orders are not sufficient to keep his capacity working as it is with two or three shifts daily, he only has to tell us and further orders no doubt would be gladly placed to take advantage of the energy and equipment of his country. In fact there is no limit to the orders to be placed in Canada except capacity. Perhaps I may illustrate what I think, with all respect to the noble Lord, is the un-wisdom of the suggestion to treat Canada as a substitute by considering the proposal in reference to ships produced by the Admiralty. The long-term programme of the Admiralty is familiar to everyone, but that production is a long process involving years of preparation. You have to establish the organisation, provide shipyards, secure and collect equipment, and then start building a ship which may take three or four years to build. My noble friend would not suggest that we should abandon the great organisation for building ships which has grown up in this country and which is a traditional industry of this country and re-erect those establishments in Canada.

I venture to think that the same thing is precisely true, though not in so striking a form, with regard to establishments for producing the guns and even the small arms and the munitions which are needed in ever-increasing quantities. Everybody knows that the creation of capacity and production is not a matter of a year and still less of a few months. Perhaps I have as much reason as any of your Lordships to know that the process of preparation is a slow and discouraging process. If it were represented in the form of a graph one must expect to see production at a low level for a most disappointing period of time. Then it begins slowly to rise and it is only when the fruits of that labour are about to be reaped that the Minister or Ministers responsible can feel that their labours have been rewarded. I am sure that my noble friend opposite, Lord Addison, from his great experience will bear me out in that. If, in place of using our existing resources in this country to the full, we were to attempt to establish and develop new resources in Canada, we should be undoubtedly without the use of the men and materials which would be in course of transportation at a time when we are in need of those vital supplies.

I fully appreciate, if my noble friend will allow me to say so, the spirit of what he has said as to the development and the use of Canadian resources, but I really think that the action that has been taken by my noble friend Lord Beaverbrook and the Minister of Supply has reassured public opinion. The orders that have been placed in the month of July alone in Canada represent a very large increase, running into millions of pounds, over the whole of the orders placed for the preceding six months in Canada. That itself is indicative of the development of those resources. My noble friend quite truly said that it is one thing to place orders and another to obtain deliveries, but deliveries are on an equally ascending scale. There is no reason to believe that Canada will not be fully equal to implementing the contracts into which her industrial establishments have entered for the purpose of providing munitions. I well remember when the first order was placed in Canada that the supply of shells of a large calibre was most punctually and magnificently performed by a great Canadian undertaking, and it was a very great encouragement to all those who were then being pressed to develop still further those resources.

My noble friend said a word about ship repairing and shipbuilding facilities in Canada, if I did not misunderstand him. It would not be suitable for me to state whether or in what way those resources are being increased. But I have made inquiry from my right honourable friend the First Lord, and I am able to assure your Lordships that not only are the facilities in Canada at many points being used for the Royal Navy and the Mercantile Marine, but attention will be given—as it is continually being given—to the possibility of extending them.

LORD BARNBY

And for ship repairing?

VISCOUNT CALDECOTE

Mainly ship repairing, no doubt.

LORD BARNBY

I thought you said shipbuilding.

VISCOUNT CALDECOTE

No, mainly for ship repairing. Those resources have been used at many points and have been found valuable, and no doubt they will be extended.

The noble Lord said it had not been found possible, and I rather think he regretted it, to manufacture certain American types of aircraft in Canada. A proposal was made, I think by my noble friend himself, but it was thought that as Canadian labour was being trained for aircraft work and every available man was needed for that purpose who had any skill and capacity, it was better to develop along those lines instead of at this stage bringing in competing claims for labour from the United States of America, especially as the aircraft which would be produced by the proposed undertaking would be American types, and it is easier to buy these American types direct from America. That, I am informed, is in substance the answer that was given to my noble friend when he made this proposition. In conclusion, I hope that I have said enough to satisfy your Lordships that the Government by no means underrate the risk of damage and loss by enemy air action, nor do they underrate for a moment the valuable resources that exist in Canada. I am sure your Lordships would desire that His Majesty's Government should take the fullest advantage of the resources in both countries.

4.52 p.m.

LORD ADDISON

My Lords, I rise for a moment only to express sincere appreciation of the statement that has just been made by the noble Viscount. I was glad that he took the line he did as to the utilisation not only of Canadian but also of home resources. He will be aware that on more than one occasion in the last two or three years some of us have complained that arrangements were not being made quickly enough to make the fullest use of our unsurpassed supplies of skilled labour. I welcome exceedingly the statement he has made that it is the intention of the Government to develop those capacities here to the utmost. That, clearly, is the first line of production, but it would not in any way diminish the necessity of making the fullest use, not only of the great Dominion of Canada, but also of the resources in our other Dominions and Colonies. I would thank the noble Viscount for his statement.

4.53 P.m.

LORD BARNBY

My Lords, I should like to express my thanks to the noble Viscount for his considerate reply. I think he treated me very kindly. It was inevitable that in raising this question I should lay myself open to two charges: first, that I was raising something that had already been dealt with; secondly, that there was no need to raise it now. He rather emphasized points which would appear to demolish the necessity for raising it now. His statement has added to the very satisfactory statements that we have had before, and, like them, is very encouraging. I want, however, to emphasize what I tried to make plain in my opening remarks: that I regretted that the points raised in the previous discussion against the sufficiency of the current orders in Canada should be regarded as dealt with and disposed of. I wanted particularly to refer to future production and to make sure that, if it is decided that new factories are necessary, the appropriate Committee under the direction of the Cabinet should fully examine the possibility of establishing them in Canada before deciding to make further calls upon the industrial expansion in this country which might imperil current production. It was very encouraging to hear that the Government are availing themselves of all that Canada can produce. He hinted at a little misunderstanding: that I had proposed the transfer of men and machines wholesale—that is to say, dismounting them, interfering with production and transferring them to Canada. That was not my intention, and I was very properly corrected by him if I conveyed any such thought to your Lordships. Such a thought was indeed far from my mind: any such impression would have had a most unfortunate heartening effect on the enemy.

May I ask the indulgence of the House to make one point which I omitted to make in my previous remarks but which I would particularly stress to the noble Viscount? It is not particularly connected with this subject, but I think it will have the sympathy of your Lordships. The evacuation of young persons from this country is the subject of very proper scrutiny by His Majesty's Government. I should like to suggest that, if public funds are being involved in any way, attention should be given to an activity with which the noble Viscount is very familiar: the work of the Fair-bridge Farm Schools. Surely, in all this drive of people going overseas, we can take advantage of the current atmosphere and get funds in some way to utilise more the great advantages which those schools have offered. As your Lordships know, they have units scattered through the Empire and would benefit to-day from further impulse. I would again thank the noble Viscount for his consideration and his reply, and beg leave to withdraw my Motion.

Motion for Papers, by leave, withdrawn.