§ Mr. NANNETTIasked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of soldiers billeted in Ireland for the past five years; whether any of the clothing, boots, and other apparel has been supplied by Irish contractors for their use; if so, will he give the names of such contractors; whether Ireland reaps any benefit financially by their presence in that country; and whether he can say what is Ireland's 748W contribution towards the upkeep of the Army?
§ Mr. HALDANEThe average number of Regular troops quartered in Ireland during the past five years has been about 26,000. Supplies of clothing or other apparel obtained from contractors in Ireland are not restricted to troops actually serving for the time being in that country, but are utilised for the equipment of the Army generally. It is not possible to state what proportion of such supplies may at any given time be in use by troops in Ireland. Ireland reaps considerable financial benefit by the presence of troops there. The information at my immediate disposal does not enable me to reply to the last part of the question.