HC Deb 11 April 1892 vol 3 cc1100-1
MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state what amount was paid in wages at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, day work and piece work respectively, on the last pay day in March and first pay day in April, 1891; and what amounts for the corresponding periods this year, and the number of men engaged piece and day work on these dates respectively?

MR. BRODRICK

The figures are being prepared. I shall be glad if the hon. Member will repeat his question to-morrow.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will explain why the notice which was posted at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, on Friday last, intimating that the factory would be closed on Saturday until further orders, was cancelled on the following day; whether any further discharge would take place in consequence of the cancelling of this order; and, if so, would he take the opinion of the employees at the factory as to their willingness to work short time for the purpose of obviating further discharges; and what number of men were at work on Friday and Saturday last at the factory?

MR. BRODRICK

The notice posted at Enfield, intimating that the factory would be closed until further orders, was cancelled by order of the Secretary of State, who, while hoping to carry out the necessary discharges, by a temporary resort to short time, as gradually as possible, was not prepared to approve the order as it was issued, as its effect would have been the establishment of short time for a long period. Its cancelment will have but a small effect on the number of discharges, and is a question of administration on which it seems scarcely desirable to consult the employees. The number of men at work on Friday last was 1,943, and on Saturday 1,906. This does not represent the whole number on the books, some being absent from temporary causes.

MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM

I rather think the hon. Gentleman has not given me the information I want. Surely a week ago there were not so many as 1,900? My question refers to the Friday and Saturday before I gave notice of my question.

MR. BRODRICK

I am speaking of last Friday and Saturday.