§ MR. FELLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men were discharged from Woolwich Arsenal during the week ending 25th May; and how many he proposes to discharge during each of the following three weeks.
§ MR. HALDANESixty men were discharged in accordance with the arrangement to proceed with the reduction at the rate of sixty per week, and in addition eleven men who would have had to leave later on were discharged on the 25th May at their own request. Sixty per week will be discharged during each of the following three weeks.
SIR J. HANDLES (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War if any men have been discharged from Woolwich during the present year who have been in the service of the State for a period of ten years and upwards.
§ MR. HALDANEThe Answer is in the affirmative.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War how many men it is intended to discharge from Woolwich Arsenal, and at what rate per week.
§ MR. HALDANEThe number of men to be discharged from Woolwich Arsenal cannot as yet be fixed. The rate of discharges per week is sixty; this number does not include any voluntary resignations.
§ SIR J. RANDLESDoes that include any men who have been employed more than ten years.
§ MR. HALDANEYes. How many more will be discharged I cannot say, as our object is to find a minimum below which we do not want to let the establishment sink, and a maximum above which we do not wish to let it rise. We are getting towards that minimum now; but I do not like to give figures, for fear of raising hopes and creating disappointment. But the whole thing has been worked out.
§ MR. J. WARD (Stoke-on-Trent)asked how much longer it would be before the minimum was decided on, and the system of weekly discharges discontinued.
§ MR. HALDANEIt is not expedient that I should make any definite statement until I can give absolute figures. But we are getting in sight of the requisite information.
§ COLONEL LOCK WOOD (Essex, Epping)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether boys between the ages of fourteen and sixteen are now being engaged at Woolwich Arsenal at 7s. a week, while skilled men are being discharged from work.
§ MR. HALDANEYes, Sir. It is necessary to engage boys to fill vacancies for boys' work for which skilled men are unsuitable, and for which the latter have never been employed.