§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that 16 per cent. of the members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in Birmingham and the surrounding districts are now out of work; and whether, under these circumstances, he will re-consider his decision recently announced with regard to the Government Arms Factory there, and, in the case of any falling-off of work, put the whole staff on short time rather than add to the prevailing distress by dismissing any portion of the employés?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) HanleyWe were not aware, until informed, that there were so large a number of workmen of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in and about Birmingham now unemployed. But, in the event of further falling-off of work at Sparkbrook, a contingency which I am happy to say need not be regarded as probable during the current financial year, the plan of working on short time will be adopted instead of a reduction of numbers.