§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view of preventing the dismissal of workmen, he can see his way to adopt the system of shortening hours all round in periods of slackness in any of the Government Arms Factories?
§ * THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. WOODALL,) HanleyA considerable number of discharges have taken place at Birmingham, where workmen have a fair chance of being absorbed in kindred occupations. At Enfield, where practically there is no other opening for men discharged from the small Arms Factory, it is sought to give relief in reducing the working hours all round by playing on Saturday. At Woolwich the precise nature and extent of the probable demands on the factories are not so obvious; but, in the event of the anticipated falling off of work, the policy of working short time, instead of diminishing the number of men employed, will be followed as far as is practicable.