§ MR. BOORDasked the Surveyor General of the Ordnance, Whether it is a fact that the men and boys employed at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich have been working overtime for many months, and that they now are, and for some time past have been, working fifteen hours a day, Saturday afternoon and Sunday often included; and, if so, whether, in view of the large number of mechanics at present idle, such pressure could not be relieved by the employment 1302 of additional hands; and, whether it is intended to remove any of the work at present executed at the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich to the Arms and Ammunition Factory at Birmingham, which has been recently purchased by the Government?
§ MR. BRANDDuring the recent pressure at the Royal Arsenal, men and boys have been employed extra time and occasionally on Saturday afternoon, and even on Sundays, in order to enable the urgent needs of the Public Service to be met. The requirements in such cases could not have been provided for in another way, or to take on extra hands. There is no intention of removing work at present executed in Woolwich Arsenal to the Arms and Ammunition Factory at Birmingham, which has been recently purchased by the Government.