§ Sir A. MARKHAMalso asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has any information that since last Easter large orders have been placed by the French Government and Indian railways in this country for locomotives; whether he has any information that the American locomotive builders are short of work; and, if so, will he ask the French Govern- 377W ment and the India Office to place their orders in America to enable an increased supply of munitions to be made in this country at locomotive works?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am informed that orders for a certain number of locomotives were placed by the French Government in this country in the middle of May with the sanction of His Majesty's Government, the French Ambassador having certified that the locomotives were required in connection with national defence. I understand that the Indian Government has recently placed an order for some locomotives in this country, after careful consideration by the Secretary of State for India. I am not aware how far American locomotive Arras are short of work. I can assure my hon. Friend that no engineering orders will now be placed in this country on behalf of the Allies or of the Indian Government without consultation with the Ministry of Munitions.