§ MR. COWAN (Surrey, Guildford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether, in carrying out necessary discharges at the Woolwich Arsenal, account can be taken of the length of service of those employed; and whether, in this connection, ex-soldiers and ex-sailors will be allowed to reckon their time of service in the Arsenal from the date of their enlistment as soldiers or sailors.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. HALDANE, Haddington)Account is always taken of length of service as the main factor in determining discharges, but there are so many other circumstances which in justice to the 1429 men, and in the interests of the Arsenal, must also be considered, that I cannot undertake that previous service in the Army or Navy shall be recognised as a chief or determining factor when the relative claims of different workmen are being decided upon. I may add that men with previous Army or Navy service are, wherever possible, given a preference when entering the Ordnance Factories.