§ SIR FRANCIS LOWE (Birmingham, Edgbaston)I bog to ask the Secretary of State for War whether eighty workpeople have already been discharged from the Royal Small Arms Factory at Sparkbrook, and whether the factory is about to be closed and the remainder of the workpeople discharged; and, if this is so, why it is that the stipulation which was said to have been made on the sale of the premises namely, that the factory should be kept open and the services of the workpeople retained, has not been complied with.
§ MR. HALDANESeventy-seven men were discharged on Thursday last. These were men formerly employed on repairs who cannot be transferred to manufacture. Eighty-four men have been transferred from employment on repairs to manufacture at Sparkbrook, and twenty-eight to Enfield. This factory is not about to be closed, and it 230 is not anticipated that there will be further discharges.
§ SIR FRANCIS LOWEWill there be any opportunity of finding employment for the men who have been discharged?
§ MR. HALDANEI cannot give any pledge, but I hope the orders given will enable it to be done.
§ SIR FRANCIS LOWEWhen is the factory likely to be reopened?
§ MR. HALDANEAs soon as possible. I cannot give the date, but it is being pushed on.