§ CAPTAIN BOWLES (Middlesex, Enfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether the hours of labour at the Royal Small Arms Factory at Enfield are about to be further shortened; if so, to what extent, and for how long a period?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. W. WOODALL,) HanleyThe present number of men employed at Enfield is considerably in excess of the number at the commencement of the last financial year. In order to avoid discharges during the severe weather of last winter the Secretary of State for War adopted the expedient of closing the factory on Saturdays. There is, however, no intention of any further diminution of the hours of work; but it will be necessary to make certain reductions in the numbers, which will be carried out with the least possible inconvenience to the men concerned.