§ Mr. BROOKESasked the Minister of Munitions whether any firms originally engaged in the manufacture of munitions have since discontinued this work owing to lack of orders; and what policy his Department is adopting in facilitating the readjustment for ordinary trade purposes of such factories which remodelled and adapted themselves to meet Government needs?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is not possible to give a precise answer to this question. There is in general a continuous increase in the total output of munitions, but changes in the nature of the requirements for the Armies in the field sometimes render it impossible to renew orders for particular articles placed with particular firms. When this occurs it is the policy of the Department to endeavour to find work for such firms, either on other forms of munitions or on other work necessary for the conduct of the War. The method of giving effect to this policy necessarily varies in different cases.