asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he is aware that there is much suffering and discontent in and around Gretna due to unemployment, high and inequitable rents, vacant houses, and homeless people; and whether he is taking any steps to get rid of these anomalies?

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer, if it is the intention of the Government to allow the factory at Gretna to be put up to auction, as proposed by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, in view of a Government Commission having previously recommended that the Gretna factory should be retained; and is he aware that if the power house is scrapped or disposed of the houses and other buildings will be deprived of the electric light and require to resort to oil?

I regret that I am unable at present to add anything to the answers that I have already given on this subject, but in response to representations made to me I am making further inquiries in the matter. I would add that the power house was designed to supply power and light to this large factory as a whole, and its retention for the sole purpose of supplying light to the tenants of the houses would obviously be impracticable. It is hoped that at the auction to be held in June next, certain portions of the factory still equipped with fixed plant, etc., suitable for ordinary purposes will attract buyers. In these circumstances, a decision as to the disposal of the power house has necessarily had to be postponed.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider whether he might not set up a committee to deal with the minor matter, not as to the sale of the factory, but with regard to the empty houses and the repair of those houses and the satisfying of the demand for those houses? [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

I have that matter under consideration at the present time, and hope to give a reply without delay.

Have the Government any idea of using, instead of selling, the plant at the present establishment at Gretna Green?

There would be great difficulty attached to that proposal. AD effort was made to sell the concern as a whole, but only a very small offer was received. It was then decided to try to sell it in lots, and a further effort will be made in May or June next.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered, not the selling of the factory, but rather its retention, as there are thousands of things which we might do with these works of which there is no idea on the front bench?