§ MR. BURNS (Battersea)I beg to ask the Financial Secretary to the War Office why discharges are taking place in the Royal Gun Factory whilst men of the same trade in the Royal Carriage Department are working from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and if it would be possible for men to be transferred from the Royal Gun Factory to the Royal Carriage Department, and so avoid discharges?
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE WAR OFFICE (Mr. J. POWELL WILLIAMS, Birmingham,S.)Before men are finally discharged on reduction, the authorities at the Arsenal are instructed to ascertain whether men of the same trade are likely to be required within a reasonable time in other departments. Some of the men who were not required in the Gun Factory have been given employment elsewhere. The employment of such men on work in another department is not at all times possible. The space and machines in the workshops can only accommodate a certain number of men.
§ MR. BURNSMay I ask whether, in the event of any men being discharged, the discharges will be carried out with the minimum sacrifice of bonus and sick pay in case the men are taken on again?
§ MR. POWELL WILLIAMSThe discharge of men, whether temporary or permanent, always takes place in order of seniority.