§ MR. HANBURYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, before reducing the weekly hours of labour in the War Office Factories, an estimate was formed of the number of additional workmen who would be re- 1338 quired to turn out the same total amount of work, and of the additional cost of the change to the public purse; and, if so, what is that estimate; or whether it has been assumed that no more workmen would be required and no greater charge be incurred for the same amount of work done?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANIt is not anticipated that any additional workmen will be required as a result of reducing the working hours to 48 per week, save in exceptional cases. A careful comparison has been made of the results attained in certain private factories; and the conclusion, confirmed by our own experience, has been formed that any increased expenditure in wages will be compensated by savings in fuel, light, lubricants, and wear and tear, by the increased energy of the workmen, and, lastly, by the prevention of lost time owing to the suppression of the breakfast hour.