23. Mr. TYSON WILSONasked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he is aware that there are a number of military officers at Woolwich Arsenal and other places connected with the War Office who are performing duties that could be performed efficiently by civilians; and whether, in view of the requirements of the Array abroad, he will transfer the duties these officers are performing to civilians who are over military age?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe substitution for military officers of other persons competent to perform their duties at Woolwich Arsenal and elsewhere is a question which is continually under review, and if it is found possible to substitute civilians for officers who can render more useful service abroad the Army Council will not "hesitate to make the change.
§ 36. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Munitions what is the percentage increase of men employed in the Enfield Gun Factory and in Woolwich Arsenal, respectively, between the last completed working week in June, 1914, and the last completed working week in June, 1915?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe percentage increase of men employed in the factory at Enfield and in Woolwich Arsenal between the last completed working week in June, 1914, and 818 in June, 1915, was 269.42 per cent, and 194.15 per cent., respectively.
§ 37. Mr. HIGHAMasked what is the average number of hours worked by the whole of the men employed at Woolwich Arsenal and Enfield Gun Factory, respectively, during the last completed working week in June, 1915?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe average number of hours worked by the whole of the men employed in the factories in Woolwich Arsenal and at Enfield during the last completed working week in June, 1915, was 68.68 and 62.16 respectively. Work is stopped at Enfield on alternate Sundays, and for the week in question Sunday was not a working day.
§ 38. Mr. HIGHAMasked how many women were employed in Woolwich Arsenal in the last completed working weeks of June, 1914, and June, 1915, respectively; and how many of the women in each of these weeks were employed in the actual output of munitions in any stages of the work?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe total number of women employed in Woolwich Arsenal during the last completed working week in June, 1914, was ten, and in June, 1915, thirty-eight. The total number of women employed in addition as outworkers in connection with the output of munitions was in June, 1914, 116, and in June, 1915, 157.
§ 39. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Munitions whether he will say how many women were employed in the Enfield Gun Factory in the last completed working weeks of June, 1914, and June, 1915, respectively; and how many of the women in each of these weeks were employed in the actual output of munitions in any stages of the work?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo women are employed in the factory at Enfield, but the number of women employed as outworkers in connection with the output of munitions were in June, 1914, nil, and in June, 1915, forty-one.