§ CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)To ask the Secretary of State for War if he will state what number of men at the Enfield Small Arms Factory have been suspended during the last month, what number were discharged, what number have been on short time, and what number have received less than £1 per week wages during the same period; what are the numbers at present working in the Big Room, and how many are on short time; what number were working in this room in June, 1903, and June, 1899, respectively.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) During the last month eight men have been suspended. There were ninety-one discharges in the same period, of which eighty three were on reduction, the remainder being voluntary, etc.; 721?were on short time, of which 226 (over twenty-one years of age) received less than £1 per week. Assuming that by the "Big Room" large room No. 1 is intended, 293 is the number at present employed therein, of which 234 are on short time; 382 were employed there in June, 1903, and 279 in June, 1899.