§ MR. W. THORNE (West Ham, S.)To ask the Secretary of State for War can he state the number of men that would be required under his control if the hours of those men who were working more than eight per day were reduced to eight per day.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Haldane.) My hon. friend is presumably referring to the various factories and departments under the control of the War Office. No overtime is worked in them, except in cases of emergency, as when stores have to be hastened and completed for issue at an earlier date than that originally anticipated, and in the case of men whose work necessitates their attendance before and after the usual hours, such as engine-drivers and stokers, warders, timekeepers, etc. In all these cases it would be quite impracticable to put on extra hands.