§ 86. Mr. BRYCEasked the Minister of Munitions whether the system of six-day and seven-night shifts for women workers is still in force in the Cannon Cartridge Factory at Woolwich; whether he has yet received the Report of the Committee appointed to investigate the conditions of female labour at Woolwich; and, if so, whether he will lay it before the House?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not aware of any such Committee as that referred to in the second part, so that the third part does not arise. The question of the hours of labour in the Cannon Cartridge Factory and at Woolwich generally is, as I have already stated, receiving most careful consideration with a view to making any necessary reductions. Representatives of the Home Office and of the Health of Munitions Workers' Committee are associated with the Woolwich authorities in dealing with the matter, but, as my hon. Friend will understand, every effort is being made to deal with the matter as expeditiously as possible.
§ Mr. BRYCEIt is now a great number of weeks since I called attention to the case of these poor women in the cordite factory at Woolwich. It was promised that investigation should be made in regard to it. Cannot my right hon. Friend say anything about it?
§ Dr. ADDISONThere has been a full and detailed investigation. I have told my hon. Friend the result of it.