§ MR. C. DUNCAN (Barrow-in-Furness)To ask the Secretary of Stats for War whether he can state how many of the men recently employed at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Birmingham, have been thrown out of employment owing to the transference of this factory to a 613 private company; and whether, in view of the understanding that no man should be discharged, and the promise given by the Government that 25 per cent, of the orders to be given out to private contractors should be sent to this factory, he will say what action the Government intend to take in order to prevent the discharge of the workmen.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) The condition of transfer alluded to was that preference of employment by the purchasing company was to be given to men employed by the Government at the factory at the time of transfer. We understand that this condition of the agreement is being fulfilled, and that all men who were so employed at that date are still employed at the factory.