§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether l4 men were discharged from the Gun Factory at Woolwich on Saturday last, and, if so, whether any 177 further discharges are imminent; whether work that might be done in the Arsenal is now being let out on contract; and whether the fresh work which will be required under the new naval programme is sufficient to keep all the men now engaged in full employment until next spring?
§ MR. WOODALL(who replied) said: It is unavoidable that some men should be discharged from time to time, for want of orders, of material, or from other reasons; but, as a matter of fact, three fitters only were discharged from the Gun Factory on Saturday last for want of work, and one from the Laboratory on account of ill-health. No such further discharges as those apprehended are imminent, and it is hoped it will be possible to maintain the personnel of the establishment up to its present strength during the current financial year.