§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been drawn to a paragraph in The Pall Mall Gazette of the 25th, in which it is stated that men are being discharged from the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield, some of whom had been working overtime up to the time of their discharge; that there are probably 1,000 men either discharged or "standing off;" that the factory is at a standstill, no rifles being made, &c.; and, whether he can state why work has been stopped at the factory?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E. STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire, Horncastle)It is true that some men are to be discharged from Enfield Factory. The work is not at a standstill, and there will be work, I am glad to say, for a considerable proportion of those now standing out. I hope the House will allow me to say that, difficult as it is at all times to manage the work of Government manufacturing establishments, it will become absolutely impossible if hon. Members by their Questions attempt to force upon the Government expenditure which is not necessary in the interests of the Public Service.
§ MR. HOWELL (Bethnal Green, N.E.)inquired, whether these periodical discharges could not he avoided by doing away with the practice of excessive overtime during certain seasons of the year and then discharging men in times of slackness?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEThat is not at all the practice, and I think it ought to be avoided.