HC Deb 17 April 1902 vol 106 c521
CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been railed to the fact that, in addition to the number of discharges which have recently taken place from Woolwich Arsenal, no fewer than 171 have been effected during the past fortnight in the Rifle Shell Factory alone; and, seeing that a number of those discharged were men with long service, a score of them having served for more than twenty years and many for more than ten, whether he will consider the advisability of putting a stop to any further reduction of the working staff of the Woolwich Arsenal.

LORD STANLEY

It has been decided to work the Shell Factory on day shift only, and consequently the redundant employees could no longer be given work. It is true that a few men of long service have been discharged, but the selection has been made with a proper consideration of time-keeping, efficiency, and general character.