§ 85. Sir KINGSLEY WOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any decision has been arrived at as to the rate of discharges from Woolwich Arsenal; what is the number of discharges now taking place per week; and whether such discharges are to continue, or whether they will cease pending the decision of the Government as to the permanent strength of the Arsenal?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The average weekly reduction in the strength of the ordnance factories at Woolwich for each of the last three weeks has been 243, of whom 25 per cent. left of their own choice. Everything possible is being done to obtain alternative employment for the present staff, but no undertaking can be given that no further discharges will take place.
§ 86. Mr. CROOKSasked whether, in connection with the present discharges of women from Woolwich Arsenal, any discrimination is made as between married women and widows; whether he is aware that recently 160 widows were discharged from the gauging section, new fuse factory 14, and that since then about twenty women, only two of whom are married, have been transferred from another section to the gauging section; and whether he will consider the advisability of making some discrimination in favour of women who have no other means of support?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYDiscrimination as regards discharges of women from Woolwich Arsenal is based on several factors, which include the important question of length of service. Consideration is, however, being given to the employé who has children or other persons dependent on her earnings, and other things being equal such an employé would be given preferential treatment. It is not the fact that 160 widows were recently discharged from the inspection shop F.14, which I understand is the shop to which my right hon. Friend refers, or that twenty women have recently been transferred there from another section.