§ MR. STEADMAN (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, as a result of the breakdown of the boilers at the new nitro-glycerine works, 12 workmen of good character, with four or five years' service and practical experience in the explosives department, were temporarily discharged from the Waltham Abbey Powder Mills on 24th May last; whether on 4th July a number of inexperienced men were introduced into the factory to fill the places of the men discharged; whether he is aware that these men have been placed direct in the explosives department; and whether this dangerous expedient has been resorted to in order to prevent the reentry into the service of C. Finch and other trade unionists who were discharged on 24th May?
§ MR. WOODALL (Hanley)Will the right honourable Gentleman say whether the old nitro-glycerine factory is not maintained in perfect equipment? Why was it necessary to suspend work?
MR. POWELL WILLIAMSI think the honourable Gentleman will find his 1227 Question answered in the reply I am about to give. Twenty-two men, who had for some time been under notice to leave, and whose average service was under three years, were discharged from the Royal Powder Factory in May last because employment could not be found for them at the time, and it was probable that a considerable period might elapse before work again became available. Except in the case of Finch, it was not known whether or not they were members of a trades union, nor did any such consideration enter into the question, the men selected for discharge being those who were lowest on the lists in respect of service. The men since taken on are men of good character, who have served in the Army, and who were seeking employment, and the superintendent has no doubt that they are quite as competent to perform the work entrusted to them as were the men formerly engaged upon it.