§ Mr. THOMAS WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why the inquiry concerning works which might help in the manufacture of munitions is being made by two different Departments; why information which has already been given by one Department has to be subsequently asked for by representatives of another Department; and whether he will consider the possibility, in localities where armaments have not previously been made, of selecting one large works or a few works capable of makings forgings for shells, such forgings to be distributed to all available places in the locality where they could be subsequently machined, and the possibility of giving to manufacturers, who have not made armaments, information as to what is exactly required of them for the Government?
§ Mr. McKENNAIn the urgent circumstances of the case, the officers of different Departments have been placed at the disposal of the authorities for the collection of information. My Department lent the services of the factory inspectors, who have intimate knowledge of the industries and of the machinery that could be used for producing munitions, and are in close touch with the manufacturers. I am not aware that the same details which they obtained have been collected by any other Department. The second part of the question should be addressed to the War Office.