§ MR. H. J. WILSON (Yorkshire, W.R. Holmfirth)To ask the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of men discharged or suspended during the past twelve months from the Woolwich Arsenal; and whether he can state approximately the number of men who have been similarly discharged, or suspended, in Sheffield and other places, in consequence of the stoppage of Government work.
§ MR. H. J. WILSONTo ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that in consequence of the failure of Government orders for armour plate and munitions of war large numbers of workmen in Sheffield have been thrown out of employment and much distress occasioned thereby; whether he is aware that the Lord Mayor of Sheffield opened a charitable fund a few months since for the relief of this distress; and whether the Government in giving out orders will take care to avoid preferential treatment of any particular locality.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Arnold-Forster.) The number of men discharged during the last twelve months at Woolwich Arsenal was 1,011, of whom 575 were on reduction. I have no information regarding the condition of affairs at Sheffield and other similar places referred 815 to in the Questions. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that localities are not preferentially treated.