HC Deb 18 December 1916 vol 88 cc1104-5
16. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions the reason of the delay in issuing the revised circular L 2 dealing with women's wages; and when the revised circular will operate?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)

My right hon. Friend is issuing a revision of L 2 dealing with the rates for women engaged on work done by men other than skilled men immediately. He hopes to issue soon after that a further Order dealing with the case of women employed on work customarily done by fully-skilled men.

Mr. THORNE

When will that Order come into practical operation, so that the women can have the advantage of it?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The first Order will be issued this week. We hope the one referred to in the second part of my answer will be issued in the week following.

17. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether between 200 and 300 women are under notice of discharge at Park Royal Cartridge Factory, Acton; if he can give any reason why these women are being discharged just before Christmas; and if he intends taking any action in the matter with a view of seeing that these women are found work of some kind?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The facts in the first part of the question are as stated. The reason for the discharges is that a considerable drop in supply of material rendered necessary either a reduction of hours or a reduction of hands, and the former alternative was strongly opposed by a majority of the employés. I regret the necessity for these discharges, but I understand that the Employment Exchange do not anticipate difficulty in finding other employment for the women.

Mr. THORNE

Can the hon. Gentleman say why arrangements could not be made where women are going to be discharged from this or any other factory by which employment should be found for them somewhere else, so that they should not be out of employment in the week before Christmas, or any other time?

Mr. KELLAWAY

The first consideration in the employment of workpeople is that there is need for the product they produce. All possible steps have been taken in this case and all other cases to see that the names of the women are immediately placed before the machinery that exists, namely, the Employment Exchanges, in order to see that everything is done to find them other work.