§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAM (Lanark, N.W.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office if, considering that Section 4 of "The Superannuation Act, 1887," provides a gratuity on discharge to workmen employed in the Royal Small Arms Factory for not less than seven years, the Director General of Ordnance Factories has published a notice in the factory that he will not recommend for gratuity any employé with less than twelve years' service; and, if so, by whose authority the Act has been overridden?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe Act is purely permissive, and the seven years was the minimum service for which a gratuity could be awarded. Having regard to the fact that in the Ordnance Factories and the Naval Dockyards the full market rate of wages is paid, and that such gratuities are not given in the private trade, after full consideration it was not thought that a less period than twelve years could be applied to such establishments.
§ MR. CUNINGHAME GRAHAMI beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is a fact that the Superintendent of the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield, has written to the War Office, pointing out the seriousness of the proposed discharges of workmen from the factory; and, if so, will he lay the letter upon the Table?
§ MR. BRODRICKNo special representation has been made on the subject, but the Secretary of State has been in constant communication with the Superintendent at Enfield to avoid all unnecessary discharges.